Flashflood hits N. Cotabato; light vehicles stranded on highway for 5 hours

PIGAWAYAN, North Cotabato, Philippines – Hundreds of commuters were stranded for at least five hours when the national highway was submerged in floodwater on Sunday morning.

Senior Inspector Donald Cabigas, the town’s chief of police, said the Manuangan River overflowed and floodwater rushed to the national highway, leaving light vehicles and passengers stranded.

“The flood water is too strong that only huge vehicles can pass the highway,” Cabigas said.

Residents in low-lying villages have also evacuated, seeking refuge in relatives’ homes and village halls.

Cabigas said no one was reported hurt in the flashflood, which started to subside before Sunday noon.

Mayor Herminio Roquero, who rushed to the flooded areas, instructed the Municipal Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) to validate the extent of flood damage for possible assistance.

Torrential rains were also experienced in the towns of Mlang, Tulunan, Matalam and Kidapawan City in the past two days.

The state weather agency said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) hovering over in Mindanao and some parts of the Visayas caused the moderate to heavy rains in Mindanao.