Tropical Storm Kristine displaces 50K families in Maguindanao del Sur

Torrential rains from Tropical Storm Kristine have affected 50,000 families or roughly 250,000 individuals in Maguindanao del Sur and other provinces.

As of Wednesday morning, heavy rains have flooded 120 barangays across 13 municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur with water levels continuing to rise due to upstream flooding into the Liguasan Marsh.

Maguindanao del Sur Governor Mariam Mangudadatu has ordered the immediate distribution of emergency relief food packs and instructed all municipal disaster units to ensure resident safety, particularly in flood-prone areas.

PAGASA warned that heavy downpours will continue in multiple provinces including Maguindanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and South Cotabato.

Classes across affected provinces were suspended on Tuesday due to the storm, impacting all public and private schools.

In addition to flooding, landslides have hit six villages in remote farming areas, damaging homes and agricultural fields.