State of calamity declared in Norala, SCotabato

The municipality of Norala in South Cotabato has been placed under state of calamity due to the effects of a low pressure area in Mindanao.

A declaration of state of calamity allows local officials to tap their respective calamity funds to assist their constituents.

“As of 09 January 2012, the municipality of Norala was declared under the state of calamity due to severe floodings in the area,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in a report on Friday.

The heavy rains in Norala caused the Papaya Creek in Barangay Poblacion to overflow. Low-lying creeks in nearby barangays also overflowed, affecting all the seven barangays in the municipality.

Damage in agricultural crops, a bridge and properties were reported but are still being assessed by municipal disaster management officials.

NDRRMC said 4,965 persons or 1,547 families were affected by the floods in 37 barangays in Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga regions.

A total of 585 persons or 117 families are still inside six evacuation centers.

NDRRMC said five roads and a bridge in Caraga are still impassable.

The affected roads are the national highway in barangay San Vicente-Poblacion, and national highway in barangay Dughan-Poblacion both in Surigao del Sur; barangay road in barangay Segovia, barangay road in barangay Lapura and barangay Nuevo Trabajo road all in Agusan del Sur.

The Pagmam-an Bridge in Surigao del Sur was not passable as of Friday due heavy rains and ongoing clearing operations.

Clearing operations are also being conducted in barangay Nurcia in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, which was hit by a landslide.

NDRRMC said a total of 10 domestic flights have been canceled due to bad weather. These flights were bound for Butuan, Manila, Roxas and Surigao.