LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — A 13 year-old girl was killed when a coconut tree fell and hit her at the height of a downpour coupled by strong winds in this town early Friday, a disaster management official said.
Myla Canete, chair of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, identified the victim as Gina Benito, resident of Baangay Kinudalan, Lebak.
Canete said Benito, a grade 8 pupil, was inside her home when a coconut tree toppled by strong winds fell on her house at 5 a.m.
Canete said the coas-tal village of Tibpuan was also flooded due to heavy rain which was worsened by high tide. “Nobody was hurt in the Tibpuan village and no evacuation was reported,” said Von Ballite, executive assistant of Mayor Dio-nisio Besana.
Local officials suspended classes for elementary and high school levels on Thursday and Friday, Canete added. Sultan Kudarat has been placed under a state of calamity due to inclement weather that has hit the province since June 24.
Over 50,000 residents have been affected by flash floods in the towns of Lambayong, Lutayan, Esperanza, Bagumbayan, Isulan, President Quirino and Tacurong City. (MindaNews)
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