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Overnight rain triggers landslides, flash floods in NoCot town

By Edwin Fernandez

July 6, 2020, 10:34 pm

<p><strong>PLANT TREES</strong>. Mayor Jesus Sacdalan of Alamada, North Cotabato speaks to members of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management council following the series of flash floods and landslides in the town’s remote villages on Sunday (July 5, 2020) due to the intertropical convergence zone affecting Mindanao. The mayor has called on constituents to plant more trees, particularly bamboos, to prevent soil erosion that triggers landslides during the rainy season. <em>(Photo courtesy of Alamada LGU)</em></p>

PLANT TREES. Mayor Jesus Sacdalan of Alamada, North Cotabato speaks to members of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management council following the series of flash floods and landslides in the town’s remote villages on Sunday (July 5, 2020) due to the intertropical convergence zone affecting Mindanao. The mayor has called on constituents to plant more trees, particularly bamboos, to prevent soil erosion that triggers landslides during the rainy season. (Photo courtesy of Alamada LGU)

COTABATO CITY – An overnight downpour brought about by an intertropical convergence zone affecting Mindanao triggered flash floods and landslides in an upland town in North Cotabato on Sunday.

Mayor Jesus Sacdalan of Alamada town said he immediately directed the municipal social welfare office to attend to the needs of affected families whose number is yet to be determined.

Allan Singco, the municipal administrator, said overnight rains triggered landslides and flash floods in Barangays Bao, Paruayan and Malitubog.

The landslides shut down portions of the road network in Barangay Bao as a road grader and backhoe were sent on Sunday to clear the paths.

“Roads are now cleared, goods and commuters can now proceed to the town center,” Sacdalan said in a radio interview here Monday morning.

Sacdalan reminded residents, especially those living in the mountains to be on alert during the rainy season as landslides and flash floods are a common occurrence.

He also urged residents to plant trees, especially bamboos, for they are effective in controlling floods that cause soil erosion resulting in landslides.

Alamada known for its majestic “Asik-Asik Falls” has a population of about 64,500 based on the 2015 census. (PNA)

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