Floods affect 500 families in Sultan Kudarat villages

COTABATO CITY — Five low-lying villages in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, were submerged in floodwaters on Thursday afternoon due to continuous rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Kiyapo and the southwest monsoon (Habagat).

Lambayong Mayor Francis Eric Recinto identified the affected villages as Pinguiaman, Tinumigues, Udtong, Caridad, and Zeneben. Floodwaters inundated residential areas, roads, and agricultural lands.

Personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), along with partner response agencies including the military, police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, are assisting affected residents and monitoring the situation on the ground.

The MDRRMO reported on Friday that no casualties have been recorded.

Recinto said local authorities continue to coordinate with concerned agencies to provide assistance and ensure the safety of residents.

Around 500 families from the five villages were affected by the flooding, while the extent of damage to agricultural lands is still being assessed.

Lambayong is located near the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh, a large wetland area that borders Maguindanao del Sur and is known to experience flooding during periods of heavy rainfall in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

The marsh serves as a natural catch basin for the three provinces, especially during the rainy season. (PNA) -Philippine News Agency