1 dead as tropical storm hit Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - A tropical storm hit the southern Philippines today, leaving one dead, authorities said.

A flash flood caused by heavy downpour since Monday night due to tropical depression Crising left one dead in the town of New Bataan in Compostela Valley province, according to town spokesman Marlon Esperanza.

Esperanza said the flood waters in five villages are knee-deep and the lone fatality came from the village of Andap.

According to Romulo Tagalo, spokesman for Davao del Norte province, the landslide in the village of Mambing damaged at least six hectares of lands, destroyed 33 houses, and roads.

"There were no reported casualties so far. The 33 families affected by the landslides are safe," he said.

In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, local officials are preparing for the onslaught of Crising in the region, calling on all residents to be on alert to achieve zero casualties.

Retired Army General Loreto Rirao, executive director of Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said he already advised all concerned officials in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur to implement force evacuation whenever situation warrants ensuring the safety of the people.

"All people leaving near the mountain slopes and in low lying areas to be alert for possible flash floods and undertake precautionary measures," Rirao said.

 The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 5 p.m., local time, Crising has made landfall over the southern tip of Davao Del Sur as it moves in a west northwest direction.