The Kalanganan 1 village in Cotabato City, situated at the mouth of Rio Grade de Mindanao, was hit by a freak tornado, leaving at least 60 homes damaged. (Photo courtesy of DXMS Radio)
Fhad Arap Bacol, village councilman of Barangay Kalanganan 1, said the villagers were preparing food to break fasting when the strong winds accompanied by heavy rains hit Purok Kidepo at about 5 p.m.
The affected communities, Barangays Kalanganan 1 and 2, are situated beside the Rio Grande de Mindanao, also known as “Cotabato City bucana.”
“It was really strong, we did not see it coming, the whirling wind destroyed our homes,” Sonny Boy Taboan, a resident whose house was totally damaged, said in the vernacular.
“Natakot ang mga anak ko, maliliit pa sila, nagtakbuhan sila mabuti na lang di natamaan ng lumipad na mga sanga ng kahoy at yero (My small children were scared, good enough they were spared from flying tree branches and galvanized iron sheets),” he added.
Bacol said assessment was still going on to determine the exact number of houses and families affected as victims expect emergency aid from the government.
“It’s so hard for us to go by since we observe Ramadhan,” Taboan said.
One person was reported hurt.
The freak weather event also damaged watercraft and pump boats.