By BASIR G. ALIPOLO, Correspondent Cotabato City — The situation in this flood-stricken city could worsen until Sunday, City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, said in an interview, after the Sangguniang Panglungsod convened, and assessed the current situation. The city councilors have decided to declare a partial state of calamity in the city. Guiani also bared that there are already 20 affected barangays and almost 10,000 individuals directly affected by the floods. She also advised the residents in the low-lying areas of the city to evacuate. She added, however, that even if the situation worsens, the city government has enough supplies to handle the situation. Meanwhile, 10 schools have already suspended its classes, among the schools were: Diocolano Elementary School, Datu Sema Kalatungan Elementary School, Mokamad Ali Elementary School, Pagalamatan Elementary School, Usman Baunga Elementary School, J. Marquez Elementary School, J. Marquez National High School, and Datu Siang Elementary School. Flooding in the areas in and around the city have long been a problem. The siltation of Rio Grande de Mindanao and Liguasan Marsh, which surrounds the city and nearby towns, have been said to be the root cause of the problem. The Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) who were tasked to provide solution to the pending flood problem have already placed plans awaiting only the approval of the Department of Public Works and Highways-12. “Actually, the immediate solution po nyan at the moment is in the form of bringing down the brand new amphibious dredger to dredge the part of Rio Grande River na malapit sa tulay,” Gerardo Reynaldo, Minda management officer, said in an interview with a local radio station.