THE PROVINCIAL government of Davao Occidental successfully breached an artificial dam formed in Barangay San Isidro, Jose Abad Santos, brought about by the landslide after the 7.8 magnitude quake on June 8.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Davao Occidental announced on Wednesday, June 24, that the dam-breaching operation was completed successfully.
“Nitong hapon po successful na nalagyan ng daluyan ng tubig ang artificial dam sa Brgy. San Isidro at nakarating na sa Brgy. Nuing sa coastal areas natin yung tubig mula sa upland barangay sa San Isidro,” JAS Mayor Jason John Joyce said in a Facebook video.
The agency said the breaching operation is to control the flow of water upstream and reduce the possible threats to flash floods in the communities, as monitoring and response efforts are ongoing.
“Padayon ang monitoring ug clearing operations aron masiguro ang kaluwasan sa tanan ug malikayan ang dugang nga peligro sa maong lugar,” PDRRMO Davao Occidental said.
An artificial dam happens when landslide debris obstructs natural waterways, causing water to accumulate upstream, forming a temporary artificial lake.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI said that possible flashfloods or debris flows might occur should a dam break, which could happen during extreme weather conditions or aftershocks. So, residents living downstream must immediately evacuate for their own safety.
JAS information officer Julie Marie Buen reported that about 2,000 residents evacuated to a safer area as a precautionary measure.
To note, the five sites of artificial dams were identified in the barangays of Butuan, Camalian, Malalan, San Isidro, and Sugal, according to Jose Abad Santos’ summary reports.
As of June 24, the local government of JAS reported seven deaths, 40 injuries, and 13 are still missing from the 7.8 magnitude quake.
The number of affected families reached 22,576, while 4,376 households are situated in evacuation sites and temporary shelters.
The local government reported 6,700 damaged houses, where 2,648 are totally damaged, and 4,052 are partially damaged.
Damaged infrastructures included 39 schools (405 classrooms); 16 barangay halls; 8 barangay gymnasiums; 13 health facilities; 18 other facilities; and 74 churches.
