Mass Evacuation in Zamboanga as Flooding Hits Residential Areas
More than 1,200 families were forced to evacuate their homes in Zamboanga City on Sunday, November 9, 2025, as heavy rains triggered widespread flooding throughout the area. The local government quickly activated emergency protocols, moving residents from vulnerable communities to designated safety zones.
Evacuation Centers and Immediate Response
The City Government established five evacuation sites to accommodate displaced families, particularly those living in low-lying areas most susceptible to flooding. These temporary shelters are located in the village halls of Pasonanca, Tugbungan, and Guiwan, as well as in the schools of Sta. Maria and Tumaga.
According to Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, chief of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has been actively profiling affected families and providing essential food assistance. Community kitchens have been set up at evacuation centers to ensure families have access to meals during this emergency.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Zamboanga Peninsula has also stepped in, distributing ready-to-eat food packages to help meet the immediate nutritional needs of those impacted by the flooding.
Water Crisis and Continuous Monitoring
The severe weather conditions have created additional challenges for the city's water supply. The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) issued a warning about low to no water pressure across all service areas due to reduced water production caused by high turbidity levels.
This water quality issue resulted from the water level rising to critical levels above normal at the Pasonanca diversion weir. Records show the water level reached 76 meters at 9:10 a.m. on Sunday, significantly above the normal level of 74.2 meters. By 3 p.m., the level had slightly decreased to 75.5 meters but remained elevated.
Dr. Apolinario confirmed that the emergency operations center at CDRRMO is continuously monitoring the situation across all 98 villages in Zamboanga City to coordinate response efforts and assess emerging needs as the weather situation develops.
