Over 200,000 persons were affected by the flooding caused by heavy rains in some areas of Maguindanao Del Sur, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said on Wednesday.

In a phone interview with the Daily Manila Shimbun, OCD-BARMM communication equipment operator Jessie Roa Cabales said Maguindanao Del Sur has been experiencing heavy rains since May 14.

"Maguindanao Del Sur is the catch basin of the flood waters from the surrounding area which is why it flooded in the area," Cabales said.

She said 121 barangays under 12 municipalities of Maguindanao Del Sur are flooded. OCD-BARMM recorded floods up to the neck level in the municipalities of Talayan, Guindulungan, and Sultan sa Barongis as these areas are near the river.

In 12 municipalities, 45,557 families or 228,105 individuals are outside the evacuation areas, with some remaining in their houses while others staying in their relative's houses.

Meanwhile, 1,168 families and 5,840 individuals are currently remaining in eight evacuation centers within Maguindanao Del Sur.

OCD-BARMM is coordinating with the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), the counterpart of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) for manpower and assistance.

Paraiso said OCD-BARMM is gathering data for augmentation and coordinating different ministries within BARMM to seek support in providing meals and hygiene kits for the affected individuals. Kate Christian Ravelo/DMS