By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

At least 385 families in Davao del Norte are now evacuated to Maniki Elementary School in Kapalong following the flash floods that hit the province after the heavy downpour on Tuesday.

In a message alert sent by Romulo D. Tagalo, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Information Office, he said not only the municipality of Kapalong was affected by the disaster.

Tagalo said even Barangay San Miguel in Tagum City, the capital of the province, also experienced the nature’s wrath.

“Barangay San Miguel is rapidly submerged in flood waters, particularly Purok 8. The water is waist-deep,” he said, adding that the provincial government is urging the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit to deploy its rescue team.

Light vehicles cannot pass through the Pagsabangan Bridge, also in Tagum City, since it has overflowed.

In the municipality of Carmen, Barangay New Camiling is likewise inundated while in Barangay Mabaus, flood is rising over head.

Tagalo said the residents of Purok (Zone) 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and Talisay in Barangay Upper Cabaywa in Asuncion are appealing for immediate help “as they are getting more and more isolated in their houses amidst the fast-rising flood waters”.

The officer-in-charge of the province, Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., (Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is on leave) is calling for an immediate command conference to assess the situation so that proper initiatives can be done so as to address the needs of the affected residents.