Sarangani floods: Houses washed away, 86 families displaced

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Continuous rains in the capital town of Glan in Sarangani since early Friday morning, July 26, resulted in flash floods, washing away houses in a village and initially stranding some residents.

Eight houses were washed away in Barangay Kaltuad, while 86 families were displaced and are now staying at the barangay hall, according to a  4:30 pm update from the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command.

No casualties were reported.

In an update later in the evening, Capt William Rodriquez, public information officer of the 1002nd Brigade, said the 7 teachers who were earlier trapped at the Kaltuad Elementary School had walked home and were already in Barangay Pangyan as of posting.

“They walked through the mountainous area of Kaltuad when the flood subsided. They reported to have suffered injuries during their walk,” Rodriguez said.

The extent of their injuries was still undetermined, but the already sent a team to Barangay Pangyan to provide immediate medical assistance to the teachers.

The Eastern Mindanao Command dispatched 3 helicopters to do search and rescue, but the mission was aborted due to heavy rains in Digos, Davao del Sur.

Soldiers of 73^rd Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant B-Jay Ursua, on the other hand, conducted search and rescue by land.

Search and rescue operations will continue the mission Saturday in case foot soldiers failed to reach them tonight. – with Karlos Manlupig/Rappler.com