MAGUINDANAO -- Flooding brought by continuous and heavy rains continues to affect several municipalities in this province Tuesday, with 18 towns already submerged under water, radio reports said.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Regional Disaster Coordinating Council Rey Dorado said that of the 18 towns, 148 villages were directly affected by the floods.

Among the areas affected are Datu Piang, Datu Saudi and Salibu towns.

Many of the residents in these areas are living near rivers and bodies of water, said Dorado.

Philippine National Police Provincial Director Marcelom Pintac, over Bombo Radyo, said the number of affected families already reached 14,000 as of Tuesday morning. These families are already staying in evacuation centers in this province.

Dorado said the Provincial Government is now helping the affected villages while desiltation of rivers is ongoing to prevent heavy flooding.

Emergency works are also being done with the help of the local government units and disaster task forces.

No casualties were reported as of this posting Tuesday. (Sunnex)