2 Killed in Cotabato Flash Floods, Philippines

Flash floods struck in several towns and villages in Cotabato province in the Philippines, on 22 January 2015, leaving 2 people dead and displacing over 12,000. According to officials at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the floods quickly receded. However, on the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), the town of Kabacan declared a state of calamity due to the extent of damage brought by flash floods that submerged low-lying villages and displaced thousands of residents. Declaring a state of calamity allows the authorities better access to funds for disaster response. According to the MDRRMC, at least 12,325 people from 2,465 families were displaced due to floods. The worst of the flooding was in low lying areas near to the Kabacan River which burst its banks. The worst affected areas were thee villages of Poblacion, Kayaga, Aringay, Bangilan, Dagupan, Pedtad, Salapungan, Malanduage and Katidtuan, said Guzman. The victims included a teenage boy who drowned after being swept by floods in Barangay Bangilan. The other victim, believed to be a woman in her 60s, died in a river in Barangay Malatab in Antipas.