CAGAYAN de Oro City — Heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, intensified by Super Typhoon Inday, flooded several communities in Bukidnon, forcing families to evacuate and claiming the lives of two residents.
Police and disaster officials confirmed that two people drowned after being swept away by flash floods in separate incidents in Malaybalay City and Quezon town.
In Malaybalay City, a 50-year-old resident identified only by the alias "Narding" was swept away by strong floodwaters while attempting to cross a flooded area in Barangay Managok on Wednesday afternoon, according to Police Regional Office-10 spokesperson Major Joanne Navarro.
In Quezon, search and rescue teams recovered the body of Geronimo Sabejon along the Pulangi River in Barangay Mahayag on Thursday afternoon.
His wife had reported him missing after he failed to return home from his farm on Wednesday.
"Only his fishing net and slippers were found during the initial search," said Quezon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office communications specialist Chaira Bonsolo.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said about 100 millimeters of continuous monsoon rain fell over Malaybalay City, Quezon, and other parts of Bukidnon on July 8, causing rivers to overflow and triggering flash floods.
Four barangays in Malaybalay City—Violeta, Simaya, Linabo, and Apo Macote—were inundated, according to PRO-10.
In Quezon, thick mud covered the main road leading to Sitio Santo Domingo in Barangay Lumintao, making it impassable to vehicles.
At least 12 families from Barangay Paitan were evacuated to safer areas as floodwaters rose.
Authorities urged residents in flood-prone and landslide-risk areas to avoid crossing swollen rivers and to follow evacuation orders as rains are expected to continue.
