`Ondoy-like’ floods swamp two Kalibo villages

Strong winds brought by typhoon Quinta in Cansaga bridge, Mandaue City. CDN /TONEE DESPOJO

MANILA, Philippines – At least two barangays (villages) in Kalibo City, Aklan, were completely submerged under water by “Ondoy-like” floods, the city mayor said Thursday.

Kalibo Mayor William Lachica said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM on Thursday morning that barangays Bachaw Sur and Mobo are still unreachable because the floods have not yet subsided.

He said that the status of the residents in those areas could not yet be determined as search and rescue personnel cannot go to them.

When asked if the flooding was like that brought by tropical storm Ondoy which paralyzed large parts of Metro Manila in September of 2009, Lachica said it was similar because of the speed by which the water rose.

Lachica also said that many of the equipment they had in the city hall had been severely damaged because of the fast-rising flood waters that hit the villages Wednesday night.

There was little rain in the city itself but Lachica said that strong rains up in the mountains caused water to flow down into the city along with a lot of mud.

When flood waters first started to rise at around 7:30 p.m., they thought it was just like a normal flood, Lachica said. But by 8:30 p.m. the flood waters were rising so fast and was further aggravated by the high tide at 10 p.m., he added.

For the full interview, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.