Kidapawan City (CNN Philippines) — Seventy families fled their homes and are now staying in Buayan Elementary School in M’lang, North Cotabato after heavy rains caused water in nearby streams overflowed on Wednesday evening (July 29).
Nonoy Diazon, an officer of the Municipal Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRM), said the water level of streams in Barangay Buayan, Dugong, and Bagontapay rose causing floods.
On Thursday morning (July 30), the national highway in Barangay Bagontapay and Buayan became impassable due to the strong current of flood water.
Vehicles from Tacurong City bound for Kidapawan and Davao City were diverted via Matalam from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m..
The roads became passable at 7:00 a.m.
Residents in Buayan were forced to evacuate and stay at the Buayan Elementary School.
Diazon said floods were still present even after the rain stopped. He added, from experience, flood water in Buayan subsides after two to three days.
The M’lang Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) is taking care of the needs of the evacuees inside the classrooms.
Diazon added that security measures were put in place around abandoned houses to prevent lootings.
