Flash floods hit low-lying villages in N. Cotabato; nearly 5k people evacuated

KIDAPAWAN City — Low-lying villages in the town of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato were hit with knee-deep flood Tuesday after a downpour, social welfare office said.

Joy Quilban, the town’s social welfare and development officer, said at least 4,676 residents of Barangays Bulacaon, Datu Mantil, Upper Pangankalan and Lower Pangankalan were evacuated to safer grounds due to the flood caused the swelling of nearby rivers.

Quilban said in Barangay Bulucaon – severely hit by the flash floods – at least 1,000 villagers were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in the village hall and nearby evacuation centers.

“There were 953 families affected by flash floods in four villages,” Quilban said.

Also she said there were reports of damage to crops, and the town’s agriculture office is still determining the extent of the flooded farmland.

The municipal welfare office has already extended relief assistance to the affected families, Quilban said.  

In Kidapawan City, meanwhile, low-lying areas were also hit by knee-deep floodwater due to heavy rain that lasted nearly an hour.

Marlon Ceballos, head of the 505 Dream Rescue Team, said the affected areas include Barangay Poblacion, Taran Subdivision, Nursery Sites, Kalye Putol and Villamarzo Street.

No one was reported hurt during the flood, Ceballos said.

Also he said the city government is set to conduct a massive cleanup drive in Nuangan River, which usually overflows during heavy rain. — Williamor Magbanua /LBG, GMA News