Maguindanao floods start to subside — NDCC

Families affected by flooding in Sultan Kudarat town in the southern province of Maguindanao have started returning to their homes over the weekend after the floods began to subside. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said fair weather during Saturday and Sunday had caused the floodwaters to recede. "As there was no significant downpour that occurred despite cloudy weather from early afternoon throgh late evening (Saturday), floodwaters have already receded in most of the 10 affected barangays: Bulalo, Salimbao, Banubo, Katuli, Calsada, Limbo, Mulaog and Senditan," the NDCC said in its Aug. 1 report posted on its website Monday. But the report said floodwaters remained waist-deep to knee-deep in parts of Bulalo, Katuli, Calsada and Limbo villages. Heavy rains since last July 29 had caused the Simuay River to overflow and caused flooding in the villages. On the other hand, traffic flow significantly improved in flooded parts of the national highway in Salimbao and Limbo violages. About 8,200 families remain affected by the floods but some 200 persons who sought higher ground in Bulalo, Salimbao and Limbo returned home, the NDCC said. Meanwhile, the NDCC said the Office of the Civil Defense for Region 11 is checking the “almost complete" Simuay River re-channeling project that started in 2009. It said this will address the recurring flooding in Sultan Kudarat town and nearby areas. — RSJ, GMANews.TV