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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/01 January) – Forty houses were totally destroyed and 17 others were partially damaged when a storm surge hit a coastal barangay here on New Year’s Eve.
Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said Thursday most of the affected houses stood near the shore of Barangay Labuan and were made of light materials
Apolinario said there were no reported casualties among the 40-50 affected families.
He, however, said they have yet to determine the exact numbers of affected families as some houses were being occupied by more than one family.
He said personnel from the CDRRMO and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) were in the area to assess the extent of damage and validate the number of displaced families.
He said the affected families are temporarily sheltered at the covered court of Barangay Labuan and at the elementary school. Some have sought refuge with their relatives.
He said the CSWDO brought food packs to the displaced families.
This city experienced on Wednesday continuous downpour brought about by inclement weather condition. (MindaNews)
