ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands were evacuated from villages in the city flooded due to the effects of the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Depression Marilyn.

City Social Welfare Officer Maria Socorro Rojas on Saturday said about 4,000 individuals or some 800 families were staying in different evacuation centers in the city.

Rojas said houses in at least 18 barangays were damaged by floods. Evacuation centers were set up in schools and barangay halls.

Relief operations are underway to provide food, clothes, portable toilets and medicine to evacuees.

Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare Office is to convene with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office before noon Saturday to assess the damage.

Flooding was reported in the villages of Tugbungan, Lunzuran, San Jose Gusu, Putik, Tumaga and Sangali on Friday.

Evacuees flocked to different evacuation centers on Friday night as river levels remained high and streets and low-lying areas were inundated.

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City Police Office is still verifying reports of a missing elderly and a child.