Cotabato – Over 35,000 people were displaced by flooding caused by heavy rains in 12 towns in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, a local official said on Wednesday.

Autonomous Region in the Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Executive Secretary, Laisa Alamia said that Rio Grande de Mindanao, the country’s longest river, overflowed started in June 13 due to heavy rains.

Communities affected by the flood include Mamasapano, Rajah Buayan, Ampatuan, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo.

Others are Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Pagalungan, Datu Montawal, Mother Kabuntalan and Northern Kabuntalan.

Alamia said that the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in ARMM had started monitoring the situation.

– Xinhua/NAN