Floods displace thousands in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rains brought by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in the past few weeks have inundated low-lying villages in Mindanao, prompting residents to evacuate.

In Maguindanao del Sur, close to 7,000 families have been affected by the flooding that swept through farming villages in the towns of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak, according to the Bangsamoro’s Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Ministry of Social Services and Development.

Joel Mamon, chief of the OCD-Bangsamoro, said that as of Monday there were 34,187 people staying in different evacuation centers.

“The figures were based on initial statistics submitted by affected local government units,” Mamon said.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua said he directed Social Services and Development Minister Raissa Jajurie to conduct relief missions in flood-stricken towns.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the bad weather affected up to 38,689 families composed of 192,005 people across Mindanao.

The NDRRMC said at least 89 flooding incidents have been reported in Maguindanao del Sur.

Of the floodings, only seven have subsided and two receded.

State meteorologists said the ITCZ is affecting weather patterns across Mindanao and Palawan.

In the Visayas, the Negros Island Region and parts of Western Visayas are experiencing cloudy weather with intermittent rain. — Christine Boton