ILIGAN CITY — More than a thousand residents were affected as Tropical Storm Basyang battered Iligan City on Thursday and Friday, flooding 23 of the city’s 44 barangays and leaving major roads choked with mud, garbage, and debris.
Mayor Frederick W. Siao ordered the suspension of classes and government operations earlier in the week as torrential rains intensified.
Emergency units, including the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), remained on full alert, facilitating evacuations to barangay gyms and public schools.
Low-lying coastal and riverside communities bore the brunt of the flooding.
By Thursday evening, the CDRRMO had launched rescue operations as water levels rapidly rose.
In Barangay Hinaplanon, a family was forced to seek refuge on their roof after floodwaters submerged the second floor of their home.
Infrastructure damage compounded the crisis.
On Friday morning, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) closed the Tubod Bridge after water levels surpassed safety thresholds, raising concerns over the bridge’s structural integrity.
The closure caused long traffic queues, with motorists diverted to the already difficult C3 road.
Authorities also reported that a hanging bridge in Barangay Tambacan is at risk of collapse after heavy rains and high tides weakened its foundation.
The city’s alert status was initially set at Level 1 but was later raised to Level 2 as conditions worsened.
Although Basyang has reportedly moved toward Bohol as of Friday afternoon, intermittent heavy rains continue to affect Iligan.
Among the affected barangays are Poblacion, Santiago, Hinaplanon, Del Carmen, Tubod, Mahayahay, Tipanoy, Palao, Tambacan, Acmac, and Sta. Felomina.
