Widespread flooding leaves 2 dead in Bukidnon

A photo shared on social media by Asotigue Violon shows elementary pupils at Aglayan Central School along the Sayre Highway in Barangay Aglayan, Malaybalay City, caught by surprise as floodwaters entered their classrooms during heavy rains on Wednesday afternoon, July 8.

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON, Philippines — Two people died in separate drowning incidents as heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon (“habagat”), intensified by Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi), triggered widespread flooding across Bukidnon, disaster officials said Thursday.

The latest fatality was Geronimo Sabihon, a 70-year-old farmer from Barangay Kipaypayon in Quezon town, who was swept away after floodwaters engulfed his light-material house near a river on the night of July 8.

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Monica Onipa of the Quezon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said Sabihon was reported missing after the river overflowed and was found dead on Thursday afternoon, along a riverbank in neighboring Barangay Mahayag.

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Flooding also affected Barangays Mahayag, Kipaypayon, and Paitan in Quezon town, she added.

The other victim was a 50-year-old resident of Barangay Managok, Malaybalay City, identified only by his alias “Narding,” on July 8 in the afternoon.

Authorities said he was swept away after attempting to cross a flooded area during Wednesday’s heavy rains.

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His body was later recovered by responders.

The persistent rains also displaced hundreds of residents.

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According to the Malaybalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), flash floods forced 271 families, or 972 individuals, to evacuate from the city’s Basakan District.

CDRRMO chief Alan Comiso said the evacuees included 201 families from Barangay Violeta, 32 from Apo Macote, 18 from Linabo, and 10 families each from Simaya and Managok.

Two landslides were also reported in Barangay Miglamin.

The displaced families remain in evacuation centers, where they have received immediate assistance from local authorities.

Meanwhile, local governments suspended classes at all levels in Malaybalay City, Valencia City, and the municipality of Cabanglasan due to the continuing heavy rains and flooding.

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Provincial disaster officials said they are closely monitoring rivers, flood-prone communities, and landslide areas as rains are expected to continue over Bukidnon. /cb