2 dead as rains, floods hit Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY — At least two persons died while more than 12,000 people were displaced by flooding triggered by heavy rains in the past three days in the city.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar did not identify the fatalities. She said another resident was reported missing.

Salazar said her office recorded 2,448 families (12,240 people) staying in barangay halls and a public gymnasium as floodwater rose in the western portion of Zamboanga.

“Rain keeps battering the city and we expect more flooding, but we have trained barangay officials [in disaster response and they] are mandated to respond immediately,” Salazar said.

The villages of Vitali and Mangusu have been under water since Sunday when a river overflowed.

Six houses in Vitali were swept away by rampaging floodwater.

Sections of the villages of Labuan, Maasin, Patalon, Limpapa, Sinunuc, Ayala, Talisayan, Campo Islam, Calarian and Recodo were also flooded. —JULIE S. ALIPALA