Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao towns also hit by floods, rains

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - More than a dozen towns in the adjoining Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao provinces have been hit by flashfloods spawned by Tuesday’s heavy downpours brought by Typhoon Pablo, officials said.

Loreto Rirao, director of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said residents in low-lying areas in Lanao del Sur’s Masiu, Ditsaan-Ramain, Bubong, Taraka, Buadiposo-Buntong and Kapai towns were displaced following the inundation of their villages.

Two bridges in Ditsaan-Ramain were swept by floodwaters.

John Magno, chief of staff of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, said relief goods have been allocated to the displaced Lanao del Sur residents.

Reports reaching the ARMM’s disaster and emergency monitoring center at the Office of the Regional Governor said several portions of the 148-kilometer Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway, linking Parang, Maguindanao to Marawi City, have been blocked by trees felled by strong winds and mud that cascaded from nearby hills, loosened by torrential rains.

Magno said Hataman already directed the ARMM’s public works secretary, Emil Sadain, to clear the highway for traffic flow to resume.

Rirao said some low-lying villages in the towns of Sultan Mastura and Sultan Kudarat have also been flooded, but less severe than previous floodings.

The social welfare secretary of ARMM, Bainon Karun, and her deputy, Pombaen Kader, are now distributing relief supplies and other provisions to evacuees from flooded areas in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.