Heavy rains bring floods in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Dozens of barangays here were flooded yesterday after rivers and swamps that connect to the Liguasan Delta overflowed due to heavy rains that started over the weekend.

Most of the flooded villages are located in low-lying districts in the towns of Mamasapano, Rajah Buayan, Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Pagalungan, and Datu Montawal, all in the second district.

Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu has placed all flood-prone towns under “flood alert” and ordered local officials and the police to monitor any alarming rise of water levels in rivers and marshes.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman and Mangudadatu both requested the Army’s 6th Infantry Division to readily provide mobility support to the affected communities if the situation worsens.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said relief workers were deployed in flooded areas to help attend to the needs of displaced residents.