Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Sultan Kudarat floods displaced 2T families
HEAVY rains have continued to batter at least two towns in Sultan Kudarat since last week, destroying agricultural crops and displacing some 2,000 families, officials said Tuesday.
Most of those affected were living near the Allah River, which overflowed causing flashfloods in the towns of Esperanza and Lambayong.
The river traverses several towns in Sultan Kudarat and the nearby province of South Cotabato.
But Saturnino Garcia, information officer of Sultan Kudarat Representative Datu Pax Mangudadatu, refused to give an exact figure on the extent of the damage to property and agricultural crops.
He said the congressman and his son, Governor Datu Suharto Mangudadatu is set to meet with officials of the affected towns and barangays to assess the damage and come up with measures to assist the flood victims.
Garcia, however, said the Mangudadatus have already ordered concerned agencies in the province to distribute relief goods to families affected by floods.
In a long distance interview with SuperBalita Socskargen, Lambayong Mayor Ramon Abalos said that at least six barangays in his town were affected by floods with at least 1,500 families affected.
Abalos identified the affected barangays as Kabulakan, Madanding, Sigayan, Tinomigues, Pinguiaman and Sadsalan.
He said national roads leading to these areas have remained impassable as of Tuesday.
In Esperanza, two barangays were also affected by floods. Some 1,000 families, living near the Allah River fled their homes after rampaging waters hit their homes.
Governor Mangudadatu said the affected barangays have been declared in state of calamity. (RHB)
