Exclusiveand Kidapawan orders force evacuation, floods destroy 14 homes
Breaking News • 20:22 PM Fri Sep 12, 2014
1,152
By:
Marie Stella Pacate-Cadungon, Edwin Fernandez
(Argie Gratuito) One of the houses hit by floods
(3rd UPDATE)KIDAPAWAN
CITY (Sept. 12/NDBC) –- Thirteen houses were totally washed out by flash floods that struck this city early Thursday night, the city disaster officials said today.Thirteen other houses were listed as slightly damaged. Earlier in the day,Mayor Joseph Evangelista has ordered force evacuation of city
residents living beside or near creeks and rivers criss-crossing the city.
A city
government mobile car with disaster personnel had been roaming around the city, using megaphone and public address system,reminding the residents of Evangelista’s directive.
Kidapawan City
and the areas around Mt. Apo had been experiencing on and off moderate rain Friday
morning, raising fear of more flash floods waiting to happen.Some residents evacuated to temporary holding area but returned home when rain stops.
The mayor’s
directive came as a preventive measure and to save lives and properties
following a horrifying flash floods triggered by the overflowing of Nuangan
river that emanates from Mt. Apo.
Many residents
had the first taste of fleeing rampaging waters last night when, after an
hour-long heavy downpour, the Nuangan river overflowed and engulfed houses
nearby.
Many thought
it was an ordinary heavy rain in Kidapawan City but surprised to find flood
water coming inside their homes. Abi nako maundang ra ang ulan, pareho sa mga nilabay nga adlaw, apan naa ma'y lunop, abi nako katapusan na sa kalibutan (I thought it was an ordinary heavy downpour, but flash floods ensued, I though it was the end of the world), a resident, who lives beside Nuangan river,said.The
flash floods also triggered brownout when some lamp posts were toppled down.At least six houses were also swept by flood water Thursday night.All available
vehicles were mobilized by the city disaster risk reduction and management
council for evacuation.
City gymnasium
and school covered courts are being prepared as temporary evacuation sites.
The number of
displaced families could increase as assessment was still on going.
Low Pressure
Area Luis” was sighted east of Mindanao and heading toward Luzon, expected to
landfall Sunday.
Mindanao will
experience scattered moderate rains Friday and Saturday, the country’s weather
bureau said.(NDBC)