CARMEN, Davao del Norte (MindaNews / 02 February) – Travel from Davao City to Tagum City and other parts of the Davao region, Agusan-Surigao and Manila was cut off Friday due to flooding in Barangay Tuganay.
Tuganay connects Davao City with Tagum in Davao del Norte, from where one can proceed to Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, the Caraga region, and Manila.
On the approach to the Tuganay bridge towards Tagum City, a long line of trucks and cars filled both sides of the national highway, waiting for the floodwaters on the other side to recede. Some drivers have been waiting since Thursday.
“Hangtod liog ganiha” (It was neck-deep earlier), a resident said. But as of 11 a.m. the floodwater was chest-deep in some parts.
Using inflatable rubber boats, rescuers ferried stranded residents to safer grounds. They said many residents in the interior barangays were still waiting to be rescued.
Some residents in the flooded areas made use of banana trunks to transport household items.
A policewoman warmed the hearts of many as she carried a baby out of the flooded highway.
The City Government of Tagum announced on its Facebook page at around 3 p.m. that the Carmen-Tagum highways was “still not passable.” Aerial photos of the flooded area accompanied the announcement.
As of 7 p.m., no update has been posted. (Text and photos by Manman Dejeto / MindaNews)
