Red alert was raised over the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) due to the massive flooding affecting 94,395 families, the Bangsamoro Information Office said on Monday.
In a statement, the Bangsamoro Information Office said the alert was raised in light of the “rapid escalation of emergency situation” that worsens the effects of the Southwest Moonsoon or Habagat.
“Now that we are on red alert, it is expected that our response will be intensified in coordination with various government agencies including the local government,” Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Response’s (READi) Leobelo Joefel Delicana said in a press conference on Sunday.
On July 9, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) also brought heavy rains and caused flash floods in Malabang and Balabagan in Lanao del Sur and Matanog in Maguindanao del Norte.
Search and rescue operation, relief operation, and other assistance were deployed in affected areas.
After a few days, flooding was also reported in several municipalities in the Special Geographic Area (SGA), Maguindanao del Sur, and Basilan.
SGA and Maguindanao del Sur are located within the Ligawasan Delta which served as catch basin in Central Mindanao.
“When heavy rain or flooding occurs in nearby provinces like Bukidon, SGA and Maguindanao del Sur are also affected,” Delicana said.
The massive flooding in the Bangsamoro region has killed at least five people as of July 12, according to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) – BARMM.
Three people died in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte while two others were reported dead in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur.
OCD-BARMM added that 12 people were reported hurt – eight in Matanog town and four in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.
At least five people were reported missing including two in Matanog; two in Balabagan; and one in Kapatagan. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News
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