1 killed, 8,000 flee from floods in Davao del Norte

Thousands of villagers are forced to leave their homes following a severe flooding that hit several areas in Davao City on Sunday. DENNIS JAY SANTOS/INQUIRER MINDANAO

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines — One person was killed and over 8,000 people have fled their homes due to flooding in Davao del Norte on Sunday, officials said.

Sixty-three year old Ramon Ampong was found dead after he was swept away while he was crossing the swollen Saug River in Sonlon village, Asuncion town, early on Sunday, Romulo Tagalo, Davao del Norte assistant administrator, said.

The number of families evacuated to safe ground in Davao del Norte has risen to 1,662 or at least 8,139 persons as disaster rescue units continued to reach flooded areas in the towns of Asuncion, Kapalong, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Tagalo said.

One house was also damaged by flood waters in Magatos village, in Asuncion, said the official.

Originally posted at 04:57 pm | Sunday, January 20, 2013