ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 9, 2013) – Heavy rains subsided Wednesday, but at least two dozen villages in Zamboanga City are still underwater and weather experts warned a new storm has been spotted and could affect the weather condition in the southern Philippines.
Five days of rains have flooded a huge part of central Zamboanga and shut down government and private offices, including the airport whose runway has virtually turned into a huge pond with herons picking on small preys.
Rivers overflowed and landslides were reported in various areas here as flash floods ravaged low-lying villages and killed at least 5 people. Several riprap used to armor riverbanks were also destroyed and further aggravating the flood problems.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar said the floods destroyed or damaged farmlands and fishponds worth nearly P57 million on top of the devastating effect it has in the local economy.
Thousands of people were also affected by the flooding due to Typhoon Quedan which left a trail of destruction.
The devastation came just barely a month after fighting left over 400 people dead and wounded in Zamboanga following simultaneous attacks by Moro National Liberation Front rebels. The violence displaced more than 100,000 people. (Mindanao Examiner)
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