3 GenSan villages under calamity state

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – At least three villages in nearby General Santos City heavily affected by floods brought by tropical storm “Ofel” were placed under a state of calamity.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council placed the villages of Balua, Bula and Lagao under the state of calamity due to the damage caused by flooding, which affected hundreds of families and destroyed roads in these communities.

No one was reported hurt or killed in the flashfloods.

In Cagayan Valley, meanwhile, six bridges were still impassable yesterday due to steady rains brought about by the inclement weather in the past three days.

In Cagayan province, disaster officials said the Abasag and Bagunot bridges in east-central Baggao town and the Tawwi Bridge in Peñablanca town were still impassable, as the rivers’ water levels have not yet receded.

Rescue teams were on standby in these areas in case there is a need to evacuate the villagers although the weather has slightly improved over most parts of the region.

In adjacent Isabela province, overflow bridges across the Cagayan River in the northern towns of Santa Maria, Santo Tomas and Quirino were still flooded, rendering them impassable. – Ramil Bajo, Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig