SEVERE flooding may threaten certain areas in 14 provinces in Central Visayas and Mindanao today, February 15.
The trough of the Low Pressure Area has been dumping moderate to heavy rainfall over large parts of Mindanao and Visayas since Monday.
Hydrologists from the state weather bureau Pagasa monitored that the water levels in rivers and tributaries are continuously rising in the Central Visayas, Caraga, Davao and Zamboanga peninsula regions. Pagasa issued an orange general flood advisory in the following areas:
| Central Visayas | Caraga | Davao Region | Zamboanga Peninsula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bohol | Dinagat Islands | Davao del Sur | Zamboanga Del Norte |
| Cebu | Agusan del Norte | Davao del Norte | Zamboanga Sibugay |
| Negros Oriental | Surigao Del Norte | Davao de Oro | Zamboanga del Sur |
| Surigao Del Sur | Davao Oriental | ||
| Agusan Del Sur | Davao Occidental |
Flood monitoring
Aside from these four regions, Pagasa issued yellow general flood warning advisories to five more regions in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Yellow means the water is slowly rising but still below the alarm level. Pagasa and local disaster officials will continue to monitor the rivers and tributaries within the day in the following areas:
| EASTERN VISAYAS | Northern Mindanao | SOCCKSARGEN | ARMM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leyte | Camiguin | Sultan Kudarat | Sulu |
| Northern Samar | Misamis Occidental | North Cotabato | Basilan |
| Biliran | Lanao del Norte | Sarangani | Maguindanao |
| Samar | Misamis Oriental | South Cotabato | Lanao del Sur |
| Eastern Samar | Bukidnon | Tawi-Tawi | |
| Southern Leyte |
Classes suspended
In Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, Mayor Juanito “Kulot” Inojales declared suspension of classes due to flooding and landslides for today.
Watch out for flooding advisories within the day. If the flood warning icon turns red or “extreme,” suspension of classes will be automatic, per Deped guidelines.
Heavy rainfall warning
At 8 am today, Pagasa issued yellow rainfall warning over:
- Agusan del Norte : Santiago
- Davao Occidental: Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos
- Dinagat Islands: Loreto, Tubajon, SanJose
- Sarangani Province: Malapatan, Glan, Maasim
- Surigao del Sur: Madrid, San Miguel
Yellow warning means flooding is “possible” in low-lying areas as well as landslides in mountainous areas.
There is no automatic suspension of classes but the local government has the prerogative if they seem it fit especially is flooding gets worse.
What’s driving the rains down south
A low pressure area south of Mindanao brings heavy rains over Caraga, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula.
It will also bring light to moderate rains across the Visayas and the rest of Mindanao. There will be heavy rains at times, though.
Pagasa advised people living in hazardous areas – flood-prone or near the mountains – to prepare for evacuation.
