SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/09 January) — Heavy rains in Surigao del Norte forced the suspension of classes in preschools and elementary schools in the city Friday.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also warned residents in flood and landslide prone areas after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Surigao raised an alert early Friday.
“As of 11 am today rainfall amount recorded at the CDRRMO’s rainfall monitoring system is 5.50mm. And the water level along Surigao River rose to .5 meter,” said CDRRMO secretary Annette Villaces.
She said high tide at 9:59 p.m. Friday would cause the water level in Surigao River to rise by 1.11 meter.
She said residents living near the river were advised to evacuate if the water level continued to rise.
Meanwhile, Caraga region’s biggest lake, Lake Mainit, has started to overflow due to heavy rains, according to the CDRRMO.
Vehicles plying the Butuan-Surigao route could still pass as of 1 p.m. Friday, although its water level has risen.
The Surigao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office has yet to provide information on the effects of the floods in Mainit and Alegria towns.
Al Caturla, commander of the port police of the Philippine Ports Authority-Surigao City said the sea has become rough.
Authorities have not cancelled sea trips to Cebu, Leyte, Siargao, Bucas Grande, Dinagat and islands of Surigao City.
But Caturla said vessels bound for Liloan, Leyte refused to leave port owing to huge waves. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)
