Report: 7 villages in Cotabato City flooded

At least seven low-lying villages in Cotabato City were flooded Friday night when a large river in Maguindanao overflowed, even as a drainage system there was clogged.

Floods were knee-high in some of the affected areas, according to report by state-run Philippines News Agency on Saturday.

The report said the Catholic-run Notre Dame University in Barangay Rosary Heights 2, Rosary Heights 5 and Poblacion 4 were among the areas affected by knee-high floods.

NDU president Fr. Eduardo Tanudtanud declared a suspension of classes Saturday as the roads leading to the university and its compound were flooded.

Other flooded areas included Rosary Heights 6, 7, 8, Poblacion 3, Poblacion 4, Tamontaka 1, 2 and 3 villages, all east of Cotabato City facing the Maguindanao marshland.

City public works personnel on Saturday started declogging the canals, while social welfare officials assisted the affected families.

PNA reported the floods were due to Friday night's downpour and the overflow of Rio Grande de Mindanao from Maguindanao.

It said officials also blamed the floods in Barangay Rosary Heights 3 to a clogged drainage system and the overflow of Kakar River.

Kakar River is a tributary east of the city and serves as diversion of floodwater from Maguindanao.

On the other hand, tributaries crisscrossing the city were clogged with water hyacinths.

The PNA noted Cotabato City is six feet below sea level, and serves as the catch basin of flood water from Rio Grande de Mindanao. — LBG, GMA News