Strong winds destroy 200 houses in Tacurong City

KORONADAL CITY — At least 200 houses made of light and semiconcrete materials were destroyed by strong winds that accompanied a heavy downpour in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday.

There was no storm or whirlwind but the winds were strong enough to topple huge trees and pry off the roofs of a number of homes in two villages of Tacurong, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

No one was reported injured in the weather onslaught that lasted for about 20 minutes.

The downpour occurred just as Tacurong, along with most areas in the country, was languishing in a dry spell brought on by a “weak” El Niño.

“Clearing operations were still ongoing as of 7 p.m. Tuesday,” the Tacurong CDRRMO said in a statement.

Tacurong Mayor Lina Montilla has directed the city disaster office to continue the clearing operations as necessary.

She also ordered the city social welfare office to attend to the emergency needs of the affected families. —EDWIN FERNANDEZ