CONTINUOUS heavy rains triggered heavy flooding in four provinces in Central Mindanao, killing at least four people and injuring five others, disaster mitigation officials reported to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Heavy rains brought by the intertropical convergence zone spawned floodings in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Minda Morente, director of the Office of Civil Defense in Central Mindanao.
She said the floods that swept through 43 barangays in nine towns and two cities in the four provinces killed four people, who are all from Barangay Bunao, Tupi, South Cotabato, and injured five others.
Morente said the flooding affected at least 797 families, or 3,985 persons and displaced another 1,798 people from
their homes.
As a result, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat and Tupi, South Cotabato, have been placed under the state of calamity, while local governments are responding to the needs of the affected residents.
Morente said classes in all schools in the flood-stricken areas were also temporarily suspended.
In addition, government agencies and private relief organizations have sent clothing and foodstuff to the affected residents.
NDRMMC officials advised people living in danger zones in the four provinces to prepare for evacuation in case the weather worsens.