‘Tornado’ hits Maguindanao villages, destroys 32 homes

Mindato Malasigan (right), disaster officer of Kabuntalan Mother, Maguindanao, inspects the houses destroyed by what he described as a tornado that hit seven villages in the province and displaced more than 100 persons. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

COTABATO CITY––At least 30 homes made of light and concrete materials were destroyed by what residents described as a “tornado” that hit seven villages in Maguindanao Tuesday evening.

Mindato Malasigan, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer for Kabuntalan Mother in Maguindanao, said Wednesday the affected families were temporarily staying in their relatives’ homes.

Seven houses were damaged while 27 other homes were slightly destroyed, affecting 160 individuals, Malasigan said.

“The village of Taviran was hardest hit with house ceilings seen flying after strong winds hit the town at past 6 p.m.,” Malasigan said during a radio interview Wednesday. “Some described the wind as a tornado or whirlwind,” he added.

Mindato Malasigan (right), disaster officer of Kabuntalan Mother, Maguindanao, inspects the houses destroyed by what he described as a tornado that hit seven villages in the province and displaced more than 100 persons. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Two persons were slightly injured.

The Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) started handing out food packs to the affected families.

Malasigan said the disaster was devastating and unique.

“(The wind was) very strong and appeared to be selective in hitting homes along its path,” Malasigan said, referring, for instance, to a row of three houses, where the middle was spared, while the houses beside it were destroyed.

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