North Cotabato villages under water

Submerged villages of North Cotabato province in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 29, 2009) – Flash floods brought about by heavy rains since last week have submerged many areas in North Cotabato province in Mindanao.

More than 2,000 families were affected by the flooding in the towns of Pigcawayan, Libungan and Midsayap. Roads were impassable and rice paddies destroyed by rampaging flood water, although there had been no reports of casualties.

Weather experts said southwest monsoon are affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Wednesday said Southern Luzon and Visayas and Mindanao will continue to have rain showers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over the western sections of those areas which may trigger flash floods and landslides.

It also warned fishing boats and small sea crafts not to sail out because of huge waves and strong winds. (Geo Solmerano)

Cotabato City Under Water Again

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 18, 2008) – One teenager had drowned in a river as torrential rains the past week submerged many villages in the southern Filipino city of Cotabato, officials said Thursday.

Officials said thousands of families were forced to evacuate to safer grounds, many in makeshift shelters, after the rivers overflowed. More than a dozen villages have been submerged in floodwater after lilies clogged the rivers.

Local social workers have distributed relief goods to more than 400 families and their supplies were running out, officials said. Heavy rains last also flooded many parts of the city. (With a report from mark Navales)

Man Buried In Landslide, Survives But In Critical Condition

CEBU CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 13 Jun) – One villager was injured in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in the central Filipino province of Cebu, officials said on Wednesday.

Alvin Santillan, administrative officer of the Cebu Disaster Coordinating Council, said the landslide occurred this week in the mountain village of Budla-an.

He said Bernie Antolijao, 32, remains in critical condition at the North General Hospital. The man was buried in mad when rescuers pulled him out barely alive.

Last week, two picnickers – Genevive Beduya and her cousin Christy Beduya -- died and that more than a dozen others injured after a landslide at mountain resort in Carmen town.

Rains have loosed soil and mad in many areas in Cebu Island. (With a report from Juley Reyes)