GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Some 100 families have been affected by flashfloods here caused by heavy down pour which started Tuesday until early morning of Wednesday.
Dr. Bong Dacera, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said at least 65 families have been evacuated to a gymnasium in Barangay Lagao after floodwaters at knee-depth submerged residential houses in Barangays Lagao, San Isidro, Baluan and Bula.
He said the flooding was caused by the overflowing of huge volume of water coming from the drainage canal.
“The passage of drainage canal was blocked by debris and garbage which caused the water to overflow into the low-lying areas of the city,” Dacera said.
Many motorists heading to Sarangani Province were stranded after floodwaters submerged the national highway in Barangay Baluan.
Dacera adds their office had deployed vehicles and equipment to rescue stranded motorists.
Local disaster officials are conducting assessment as to the damage on infrastructure and agriculture, including drainage, canals, highways and rice field. (Joseph Jubelag)