By Edwin Fernandez/Philippine News Agency
COTABATO CITY — The city government of Kidapawan has alerted its constituents on possible landslides and flash floods as the state weather bureau officially announced the onset of rainy season.
On Monday afternoon, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported the overflow of several rivers crisscrossing the city.
“The city government has prepared an evacuation plan for residents living near creeks and rivers should the river water rises to a critical level,” Kidapawan Mayor Joseph Evangelista said in an interview with local reporters.
The mayor said he has ordered Psalmer Bernalte, CDRRMO chief, to increase monitoring and evaluation of creeks and rivers to ensure that nobody gets hurt or no property gets damaged when flash floods and landslides occur.
CDRRMO records revealed that there are landslide and flash flood-prone villages in the city that experienced disasters during the past several years.
The mayor also reminded the public about health risks that accompany the rainy season. The city sits on the foot of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak, and has many tributaries traversing the downtown area.
Evangelista also appealed to Kidapaweños not to throw garbage, especially plastics, into creeks and rivers as these would clog waterways and trigger flash floods.
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