NEARLY 200,000 people have been affected by flooding caused by rains brought by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in Maguindanao del Sur in the past several days.
In a report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Mindanao has been experiencing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms since May 14.
“This resulted in flash floods in several municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur,” the NDRRMC said.
It said 98 areas were flooded in the towns of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Ampatuan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Mamasapano, Datu Piang, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Salibo, and Guindulungan.
Flooding in seven of these areas has already subsided as of last Monday, the NDRRMC said.
The NDRRMC said the flooding has affected a total of 36,689 families or 192,005 individuals in the province.
Of the number, 178 families or 890 individuals are staying at an evacuation center, particularly in Ampatuan town.
The NDRRMC said three houses were reported as “totally” damaged due to the calamity and two roads and one bridge have been declared not passable to vehicles due to the flooding.
