CONTINUING AID. The Butuan City government, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region, continue to help the flood-affected families in the city, the number of which climbed to 6,212 as of Monday (Feb. 12, 2024). Assessment is ongoing in the 33 barangays hit by floods due to the increase in the water level in the Agusan River. (Photo courtesy of Butuan CSWDO)
BUTUAN CITY – The number of flood victims here has ballooned to 6,212 families or 22,818 persons in 23 barangays, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said Monday.
Of the affected families, CSWDO said 5,910 families or 21,910 persons have been served with food aid, especially those in the evacuation centers.
“Around PHP4.2 million worth of food aid were served to the affected families,” it said.
Of the total worth of aid, PHP3,8 million was from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region; PHP300,625 from the city government; and PHP21,500 from other groups.
Floods caused by the rising waters of the Agusan River prompted the city government to evacuate the residents last week.
The heavy rains caused by the shear line and the trough of the low pressure area caused flooding and the swelling of the river systems in Agusan del Sur.
The Agusan River serves as the catch basin of the flooded river systems in the province.
As of Sunday afternoon, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in Butuan City reported that the water level at the Agusan River had dropped to 2.5 meters categorized as an Orange Warning or preemptive evacuation level from 3 meters last week.
“The office is also working with concerned authorities in the assessment of the affected barangays to determine the safety of residents who intend to return to their homes,” the CSWDO said. (PNA)
