Flash floods swept through three barangays in this interior town of Bukidnon on Tuesday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of dozens of families.
Videos circulating on social media showed floodwaters submerging large bamboo trees and carrying debris along the Mulita River in Barangay Concepcion.
The strong water current also affected nearby areas, including Barangay Adtuyon. Worst-hit by the floods was Barangay Poblacion, where over a hundred residents sought refuge at the local gymnasium, now serving as an evacuation center.
According to Ian Cagalitan of the Bukidnon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), at least 25 households, or 174 individuals, are currently staying at the evacuation center in Barangay Poblacion, with the number expected to rise.
Cagalitan added that the Mulita River has reached the red or critical level, prompting authorities to carry out forced evacuations in flood-prone areas.
Justine Navarro, weather specialist at the state weather bureau’s station in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, said in a phone interview that Pangantucan experienced moderate to heavy rainfall lasting nearly three hours on Tuesday afternoon.
Several areas across Bukidnon were also affected by continuous rains brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, according to the state weather bureau’s advisory issued that day.
As of posting time, no casualties or injuries have been reported. The Bukidnon PDRRMO said monitoring continues as response and relief operations remain ongoing./coa