NDRRMC: Over 130,000 affected by Mindanao floods

MANILA, Philippines - Thousands of families in several provinces in Mindanao have been evacuated due to the floods triggered by the heavy rains from a low pressure area (LPA), the state disaster response agency said Monday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its situational report issued at 6 a.m. that a total of 26,801 families or 132,379 people were affected in 10 provinces in the Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga regions.

Of the total number of affected people, majority or 126,676 are from the provinces of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte - the areas devastated by Typhoon Pablo in 2012.

According to the NDRRMC report, the affected residents are now in various evacuation centers in the respective regions.

There are still no fatalities in the NDRRMC report, which said that at least two men are missing after being carried by strong current while crossing the Aciga and Mat-I rivers.

They were identified as Jolito Solima, 32 of Brgy Pangaylan, Santiago in Agusan del Sur; and Michael Paran, 14, ir Brgy. Laurel, Taganaan in Surigao del Norte.

The NDRRMC said the Saug River and the Libuganon River in Davao del Norte have overflowed while 22 roads and 13 bridges are not passable in the affected regions.

The agency has so far monitored flooding incidents in Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Mambajao, Camiguin.

The landslide incidents were reported in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; New Corella, Tagum City, and Cateel in Davao del Norte; Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Lanuza, Surigao del Surl; and in the Dinagat Islands.

The NDRRMC said the flooding and landslides have damaged a total of 251 houses in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Several bridges and public infrastructure have also sustained damage along with 8,284 hectares of agricultural crops.