ZAMBOANGA CITY — Torrential rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and a Low Pressure Area (LPA) triggered widespread flooding in at least 12 barangays across the city on Saturday, June 7, displacing a total of 1,028 families or 3,513 individuals.
The downpour, which began Friday night, caused water levels to rise in several communities, forcing residents to flee to evacuation centers. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), together with member-agencies of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and concerned Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs), responded swiftly to assist affected households.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) immediately dispatched social workers to conduct profiling and assessments in evacuation centers. Relief goods were also distributed to families affected by the floods. Personnel from the City Health Office (CHO) were likewise mobilized to provide doxycycline and other medicines to prevent the spread of leptospirosis and other waterborne diseases.
As of this writing, most of the evacuees have returned to their homes following a significant improvement in weather conditions and receding floodwaters.
The breakdown of displaced families and individuals per evacuation site is as follows:
- Tumaga – 350 families, 1,570 individuals
- Tugbungan Covered Court – 150 families, 501 individuals
- Ayala Gym – 93 families, 222 individuals
- Guiwan Covered Court – 79 families, 265 individuals
- San Jose Gusu – 75 families, 220 individuals
- Talisayan – 75 families, 160 individuals
- Cawit Covered Court – 65 families, 254 individuals
- Recodo Covered Court – 50 families, 168 individuals
- Cabatangan Barangay Hall – 37 families, 139 individuals
- Pasonanca Barangay Hall – 31 families, 129 individuals
- Boalan – 17 families, 64 individuals
- Putik – 6 families, 16 individuals
Photos from the Guiwan Barangay Information Officer Network (BION), taken by Agnes Sanson Natividad, showed CSWDO personnel conducting household assessments and distributing relief assistance. Health workers were also seen providing preventive medicines at evacuation sites.
Local authorities continue to monitor weather developments as the city remains under the influence of the southwest monsoon. Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to stay alert and heed advisories from local disaster response teams.