50K families affected by floods in Maguindanao Sur due to ‘Kristine’

COTABATO CITY - Torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Kristine over the past two days have affected 50,000 families, or roughly 250,000 individuals, in Maguindanao del Sur, an official said Wednesday. Ameer Jehad Ambolodto, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said heavy rains have flooded 120 barangays across 13 municipalities in the province. 'The water level continues to rise in some areas despite improved weather, as floodwaters from upstream flow into the Liguasan Marsh, where the affected towns are located,' Ambolodto said in the vernacular. Maguindanao del Sur Governor Mariam Mangudadatu, who also chairs the PDRRMC, has ordered the immediate distribution of emergency relief food packs to assist families impacted by the severe weather. Ambolodto said no casualties have been reported so far. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the trough of Kristine has caused heavy downpours in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani in the Soccsksargen region. Classes in all public and private schools across Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat were suspended due to the floods. In North Cotabato, the national highway connecting Pigcawayan and Libungan towns was submerged on Tuesday afternoon but has since cleared. However, nearby communities remain flooded, according to Pigcawayan Mayor Juanito Agustin. In Magpet and Kabacan, low-lying areas remain underwater as rains continued to pour. Magpet has been placed under a state of calamity, allowing authorities to distribute relief packs to about 100 affected families. The floods damaged at least 36 houses in Barangay Bantac and partially damaged 87 others. Six villages, mostly in remote farming areas, were hit by landslides. These are barangays Mahongkog, Balite, Basak, Doles, Amabel, and Manobisa. In Sultan Kudarat's upland town of Sen. Ninoy Aquino, the Kulaman River overflowed on Tuesday, threatening major bridges and damaging vast corn and rice fields. Meanwhile, rivers originating from Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak, also overflowed on Tuesday, endangering downstream communities in Makilala and Kidapawan City. (With a report from John Andrew Tabugoc/PNA) Source: Philippines News Agency