MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of residents were affected by flashfloods that hit parts of Sarangani province, General Santos City and parts of Davao region following heavy rain brought by the intertropical convergence zone in the past two days.
Portions of the highway in Buayan, a coastal barangay at the border of General Santos and Alabel town, were inundated, leaving hundreds of motorists and commuters stranded.
Several riverside villages in Malungon town in Sarangani were also submerged in floodwater.
The highway linking the cities of Davao and General Santos was blocked by landslides. It reopened at 2 p.m. yesterday.
Military and police personnel as well as volunteers from nearby cities and provinces were deployed to help evacuate flood victims.
Classes were suspended in Sulop, Kiblawan and Malalag in Davao del Sur.
Residents near Malalag River and other tributaries were evacuated.
Sta. Maria, Malita, Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental also reported flooding.
The Buhangin-Malita and Sta. Maria-Malita Highway remained impassable yesterday morning due to landslides. – Edith Regalado