Low-pressure area leaves 3 dead

MANILA, Philippines - Three persons died while another went missing following floods and landslides due to heavy rains that affected parts of Northern Mindanao.

In a report yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the low-pressure area brought downpour, which began Aug. 30, in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

The fatalities were identified as Esperanza Cabanilla, 84, of Misamis Oriental, who drowned; Richard Sumalhay, 40, and Rodencio Kailaw, both of Bukidnon, due to asphyxia in a landslide.

A certain Nelson Demaclid, 40, of Bukidnon went missing after being carried away by floodwaters.

The NDRRMC said the low-pressure area damaged 126 houses in the three provinces.

It also affected 803 families or 3,770 persons in 15 barangay in those areas, with 162 families or 758 persons still in 10 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, a total of 8,435 families were affected by flashfloods that hit Kabacan, Cotabato.

The NDRRMC said 162 families are now in two evacuation centers.

The flashfloods in Cotabato started last Tuesday, overflowing the Pulangi and Kabacan Rivers.