In the wake of heavy rainfall that led to significant flooding in Koronadal City on Tuesday night, local authorities are calling on residents to manage their waste more responsibly. The flooding, which affected both residential and commercial zones, was exacerbated by clogged waterways filled with debris and garbage.
Cyrus Urbano, the head of the city’s disaster risk reduction and management office, emphasized the need for community action in a recent radio interview. He highlighted how essential it is to keep plastics and other waste out of the city’s creeks and drainage systems to prevent such flooding incidents. Urbano noted that the floods reached waist-high levels, forcing many residents to seek shelter in local gymnasiums and multi-purpose centers.
The intense two-hour downpour caused flash floods in several low-lying areas and commercial districts, with a significant overflow from Blok Creek. The affected areas included barangays such as Sta. Cruz, Assumption, Zone 3, Morales, Sto. Niño, and sections of the national highway in Barangay Carpenter Hill.
Urbano stressed the importance of waste segregation and proper disposal practices to mitigate the risk of future flooding. As the city continues to assess the damage caused by the floods, the call for better waste management practices remains a priority.