SOUTH COTABATO – Tropical Storm “Dante” also hit some areas in Mindanao. particularly in South Cotabato, damaging thousands of hectares in agricultural crops, the office of the PDRMO reported.
Rolly Doane Aquino, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Office (PDRMO) told reporters there were five municipalities that were hit hard by flooding as heavy rains struck the towns.
The office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) reported that the flooding affected 578 farmers in 57 low-lying and riverside villages identified as Noralla, Banga, Lake Sebu, Tboli and Surallah towns.
It was learned that most of the flooded barangays were along the critical Allah and Banga rivers, including their tributaries.
The PDRMO chief added that some 617.1 hectares of corn, rice and other high-valued crops were damaged in Norala. Other barangays are as follows: Banga, 75.65; Tboli, 68.35 and 29,75 in Lake Sebu. A 15-hectare fishponds in Banga were also severely damaged by flooding.
“The validation is still ongoing in the affected areas and we expect the figures to further increase in the coming days,” he said in a press briefing in Koronadal City. – PNA
