Mindanaotoday.com | Heavy rain spawns soil erosion, leaves 2 dead in Tugaya town
By: Claire R. Gigje
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – A soil erosion has transpired in the municipality of Tugaya in Lanao del Sur province following a sudden and unanticipated torrential rain that started at around 12:30 in the afternoon Tuesday, September 12.
Tugaya Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Engr. Princess Hala Diamel reported that the incident happened particularly in Brgy. Lumbac Blis, at around 1:30 in the afternoon of the same day.
She detailed that the downpour and lack of drainage allowed the water to course directly to one shelter, causing its walls to collapse.
Diamel bared that this then resulted in the death of two individuals who were recovered at roughly 2:00 in the afternoon.
The calamity victims were identified as Amero Biston, a 42-year-old male, and his niece, Shahanie Biston who was only four years old.
“Malakas ang ulan. Nangyari siya at naapektuhan ang isang bahay na nasa gilid ng highway at walang drainage kung saan makadaan ang tubig. Doon siya nagdirect sa wall ng bahay at lumambot ang lupa. Ito ang nagcause ng pagkamatay ng dalawang persons,” said Diamel.
(The rain was heavy. It happened and affected one house along the highway with no drainage where the water should flow. It directed to the wall of the house and the land became soft. It caused the death of two persons.)
After the incident occurred, Walid Pangcoga, the executive assistant of the Office of Mayor Alfattah Balindong, assured that their personnel were immediately deployed to extend assistance to the impacted residents and prevent any additional fatalities.
“The LGU (local government unit)-Tugaya through the MDRRMO and the BLGU (barangay LGU) ay agad nagrespond para hindi dumami ang casualties,” he said.
(The LGU (local government unit)-Tugaya through the MDRRMO and the BLGU (barangay LGU) immediately responded so that the casualties would not increase.)
The MDRRMO conveyed that they are now planning on measures to step up their disaster response and impede any similar instances. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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