Sarangani flood affects 2,000 folk

MANILA, Philippines – Close to 2,000 people have been affected by a flash flood triggered by heavy rains in Malungon, Sarangani, officials said yesterday. 

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Benito Ramos said the flood occurred last Saturday afternoon in five zones of Barangay Malandag. 

A total of 391 families or 1,955 people were affected by the flood.

Of the number, 130 families or about 650 people evacuated to a gymnasium, while 261 families or 1,305 people either went to the houses of their relatives or stayed in makeshift temporary shelters.

There were no fatalities or missing persons reported as of yesterday afternoon. 

Capt. William Rodriguez, spokesman of the Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade, said many of the affected villagers were stranded on the roof of their houses while others clung to trees before they were rescued. 

Two persons were rushed to a local hospital after experiencing hypertension and epilepsy. 

Rodriguez said the flood damaged the Kiblat Bridge and rendered the Kibala Bridge impassable. The two bridges connect most of the villages of Malungon to Barangay Malandag. At least eight houses were washed out by the flash flood. 

Disaster management officials and the local government are now conducting damage and needs assessment and relief operations. 

Businessmen from Malungon have distributed relief goods like sleeping mats, rice, used clothes and canned goods to the affected residents.

The Malungon health office, the local police and the Army are also extending medical assistance to families in far-flung areas. – Alexis Romero, Edith Regalado