NDRRMC: 2 dead in Maguindanao floods

Two children have been reported killed in floods caused by continuous rain in the Maguindanao area since last week. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council described the fatalities as aged 8 and 13, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. But the report did not immediately give further details about the two fatalities. On Sunday, the NDRRMC said the flooding problem in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao worsened due to continuous heavy rain in the area. The NDRRMC's Sunday update said floodwater levels increased by one foot overnight, prompting the clearing and de-clogging of five hectares of water hyacinths at Taviran Bridge in Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao. It added the number of affected towns had increased from eight to 13, with an additional 11,905 displaced families, but no further details were immediately available. Earlier this week, the NDRRMC said rain and accumulation of water hyacinths along the waterways of Buluan Lake since 19 September caused the overflowing of Rio Grande de Mindanao, Buluan River and Alah River. As of Friday last week, the NDRRMC said the affected families included: