37,000 flee flooding as rain continues in N. Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY—Some 37,000 people fled to safety after the swollen Rio Grande de Mindanao flooded 16 low-lying villages of Pikit, North Cotabato province.

Tahira Kalantungan, Pikit municipal disaster and risk reduction management officer, said the evacuees are now staying in shelters, mainly village halls, as their communities were submerged in flood, waist-deep in some areas.

Kalantungan said no fatality has been reported.

She said the villages of Bago Inged, Buliok, Barungis, Kabasalan, Macasendeg and Punol have been deserted while at least 70 percent of the population of the villages of Inug-og, Talitay, Rajamuda, Kalibet, Katilacan, Nabundas and Lumayong had fled to safer areas.

She said flooded areas could remain under water for days as the rains continue.

Kalantungan said the town has enough funds to sustain the evacuation for several days.

In Kidapawan City, officials said at least 175 families have been moved out of harm’s way in landslide-prone areas in the village of Ilomavis. Williamor A. Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao