Hundreds flee flooding in Southern Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Hundreds of people were evacuated in two Southern Mindanao provinces as floods struck several towns following heavy rains, authorities said.

Several towns in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley were under water, forcing villagers to flee their homes.

Maj. Jacob Obligado, civil military officer of the 10th Infantry Division, said as of 7 a.m. on Saturday villages in the municipalities of Laak, Asuncion, New Corella and Kapalong, all in Davao Del Norte, were under water.

In some areas, he said water was as deep as three feet, rendering several roads inaccessible but no casualties were immediately reported.

Power also had to be cut off in Laak and Asuncion towns, Obligado said.

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Southern Mindanao said severe flooding also swept through several areas of Compostela Valley on Saturday.

Eliza Tabina, a staffer at the OCD, quoted reports that the OCD received as saying that at least 106 families had fled their homes due to the floods.

Gerry Pedrico, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Southern Mindanao, said there was no storm forecast and that the rains were brought by what he described as wind convergence.

Pedrico said the rains started Friday morning and had progressed through Saturday. The heavy rains may continue in the next few days, he said.

Last month, heavy rains spawned by Tropical Storm “Sendong” also flooded towns in Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte.

Nearly 5,000 people had to be evacuated when floodwaters submerged lowland villages and those near major tributaries. Germelina Lacorte and Dennis Jay Santos, Inquirer Mindanao