Situation Overview

The country’s weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), issued several warnings and advisories regarding the Shear Line a few days before Christmas. The combined effects of the northeast monsoon (locally known as “Amihan”), and the “shear line” (convergence of cold and warm winds) brought heavy rains and massive floods in various parts of Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Southern Luzon last 25 December 2022. Affected areas include MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao).

Christmas was not festive for some thousand families particularly in Northern Mindanao as they welcomed what is supposed to be the happiest event of the year with tragedy after rains triggered massive flooding and landslides in several regions in the country. Instead of celebrating the holiday season in their homes, thousands of families remained in evacuation centers amid devastating Christmas flooding. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Northern Mindanao region heavily bore the brunt of the combined effects of the shear line and Amihan, which was also accompanied by the observed low-pressure area (LPA) in the east of Davao City as most of the fatalities were recorded in this region. It is reported that several families in Northern Mindanao spent their Christmas and New year eating donated food at the evacuation center. The province of Misamis Oriental is among the hardest hit with an estimated 25 fatalities.

Tacloban City, Leyte
In the Eastern Visayas, many towns were also reported to have been flooded due to the incessant rains. In Jipapad town of Eastern Samar, some 14,085 individuals from 2,817 families flee to safer grounds after the flood reached the second floor of their houses, forcing them to spend their Christmas eve in government facilities.

Zamboanga City
According to the city disaster risk reduction management office of the province, a total of 500 families also spent their Christmas in temporary shelters due to the effects of the combined shear line and Amihan. Almost half of the city is still groping in the dark since Christmas day while several barangays have been without water on Christmas day. Deployment of rescue teams were ordered to Barangays Tumaga, Putik, Guisao, Culianan, Boalan, Mercedes, Cabaluay, Cacao, Sangali, and Boalan after these areas reported heavy flooding.

Ozamis City
Widespread flooding was also experienced in the province of Ozamis City wherein some areas’ floodwaters rose neck-high, particularly in Barangay Maningcol. The provincial capital Oroqueta City was also flooded as well as the towns of Tudela, Aloran, and Jimenez where large debris was scattered on the national highway, which slowed down the flow of vehicle traffic. It is also reported that a forced evacuation was also implemented in some areas due to the forthcoming danger to residents.

Surigao del Norte
In Surigao del Norte, the towns of Clarin and Gigaquit were flooded, prompting Bureau of Fire Protection personnel to launch rescue operations in communities near rice paddies that were almost turned into rivers by floodwaters.

People from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are still reeling from the impacts of the Christmas day floods caused by heavy rain from the shear line. Over 680,000 people have been affected and 52 individuals have died. The affected regions are unlikely to have recovered but three weather systems will continue to rain in the country. According to PAGASA, the low-pressure area and the shear line will bring rain to large parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. The LPA was last spotted at a distance of 355 kilometers east southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, or 345 kilometers east of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. The LPA and shear line will bring moderate to heavy rains to parts of Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Negros Occidental.

Source: PAG-ASA, National Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Affected Populations
The number of casualties has already hit 52, with 18 missing and 18 injured. In the NDRRMC’s latest report, casualties have been recorded in the following areas:

No. of Deaths
Northern Mindanao – 26
Bicol Region – 9
Eastern Visayas – 5
Zamboanga Peninsula – 4
Davao Region – 4
Caraga – 3
MIMAROPA – 1

The number of families affected by the combined effects of shear line and Amihan has reached a total of 185, 826 according to the NDRRMC. This is equivalent to 743,956 individuals from MIMAROPA, Region 5,6,7,8,9,10,11, CARAGA and BARMM. A total of 185,826 families or 743,956 persons were affected. Of which, 3,480 families, or 11,466 persons were served inside 54 ECs and 137 families or 367 persons were served outside ECs

A total of 63 cities and municipalities experienced power outage particularly in MIMAROPA, Region 5,8,10 and CARAGA, as of this writing power supply has been restored in 62 cities and municipalities.
The NDRRMC also reported that the combined damage wrought by the rains and floods into the agriculture and infrastructure of the affected regions has reached P427,376,736,4533. Most affected was Misamis Occidental which incurred an P89.32 million loss in corn and rice fields, high-value crops, livestock, and poultry. It was followed by Misamis Oriental with a loss of P78.93 million; and Camarines Sur with P57.28 million.
Misamis Occidental also suffered the most as it recorded a loss of P1,096,675,000 when 36 infrastructures were damaged including power lines, water systems, bridges, spillways, concrete roads, irrigation dams, flood-control projects, and breakwaters. A day-care center, church, and several schools were also damaged. It was followed by Misamis Oriental with a loss of P20.56 million; Camarines Sur with P5 million; and Palawan with P4.17 million.
Source: National Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Emergency Response Efforts

1. CDRC is closely monitoring the situation in the affected areas.
2. CDRC is also closely coordinating with its regional partners in affected areas to collect information on the situation and needs of the ground.
3. CDRC activated its Emergency Response Team and CDRC activated its Emergency Response Team ready for deployment within the affected areas in anticipation of any eventualities brought about by the effects of the shear line.
4. CDRC’s Regional Partners are started coordinating with their respective LGU partners, particularly with the Local DRRM Offices in the affected cities and provinces.
5. Emergency Response Teams of the respective affected regional partners have been monitoring developments in the local situation and continue to send data from the ground.
6. CDRC is now coordinating with different agencies and organizations to raise funds and donations for the affected communities. In addition to coordinating between partners and other networks, typhoon-affected regional partners are currently sending appeals for the Emergency Relief Assistance Fund.
7. With the rising need for emergency response, CDRC coordinates mechanisms and fundraising efforts.

Resources Available
1. Standby emergency funds
2. Prepositioned goods at the CDRC warehouse
3. Monetary and in-kind donations

Expressed Needs
1. Access to immediate food packs is considered one of the preliminary needs in the most
affected regions. The other most pressing needs includes, WASH, medicines, sleeping
materials, and sanitation kits.

Coordination
Regional Center
1. Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI)
2. Leyte Center for Development (LCDe)
3. Disaster Response Center (DIRECT)
Contacts
Cora Jazmines, Local Partnerships Department, 0928-182-4969, lpd@cdrc-phil.com
Dom Ybera, Deputy Executive Director, dybera@gmail.com