1 dead, hundreds displaced as floods hit Malaybalay City in Bukidnon

Motorists navigate floodwaters along a road in Barangay Linabo, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on Wednesday afternoon after heavy rains triggered by the enhanced southwest monsoon inundated the area, making travel difficult and hazardous —Photo by Jay Namuag

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON, Philippines — One person died while hundreds of residents fled to evacuation centers after heavy rains triggered flash floods in several villages of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on Wednesday, July 8.

The heavy downpour, brought by Super Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi), which significantly enhanced the southwest monsoon (habagat), caused rivers and spillways to overflow, inundating low-lying communities, according to local authorities.

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Aria Cagaanan, operations and warning officer of the Malaybalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said the rains intensified at around 3 p.m., prompting emergency responders to evacuate affected families to designated evacuation centers.

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Among the hardest-hit areas was Barangay Managok, where floodwaters submerged rice fields and overflowed a spillway.

READ: More areas in N. Luzon under Signal No. 1 as Inday enters PAR

A 50-year-old man from the village drowned after he was swept away by strong flood currents.

Flooding was also reported in Barangays Miglamin, Linabo, Violeta and Simaya.

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A landslide initially blocked a road in Barangay Miglamin, but the route was cleared later in the evening, Cagaanan said.

As floodwaters gradually subsided, some residents, including students, crossed flooded areas with the help of ropes installed by rescuers.

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CDRRMO personnel remained on the ground conducting rescue, monitoring and validation operations with barangay officials to determine the number of affected families and assess damage to property and infrastructure.

“Our priority is to save lives,” Cagaanan said. “If you notice rising floodwaters or feel that your safety is at risk, do not wait. Evacuate immediately to safer ground.”

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Malaybalay City Mayor Warren Pabillaran has been closely monitoring the situation as emergency response teams continue operations in flood-prone villages across the city. /cb