2 die in Mindanao floods, landslides

DAVAO CITY, Philippines —  At least two persons died and one was reported missing after floods and landslides hit a large part of Southern Mindanao over the weekend.

Heavy rains battered the region for more than 48 hours, forcing residents to evacuate to safer grounds.

The Compostela Valley disaster risk reduction and management office said Dennis Pesadilla and Rommel Gogo were buried in separate landslides that occurred on Saturday in Barangay Ngan, Compostela and Barangay Tapia, Montevista, respectively.

It said Krisel Hermosora, 12, was carried away by the floodwater toward the Handorumog River in Nabunturan town on Friday.

Hermosora’s grandmother suffered injuries after she tried to rescue the girl.

The woman was brought to the Cabrera Hospital for treatment. 

Thousands of commuters – mostly in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley as well as in Davao City – were left stranded as roads and highways were impassable.

Heavy downpours were still expected to prevail over the region yesterday due to a weather disturbance and a tail end of a cold front.

Officials said several roads in Compostela Valley including the highway connecting the province to Butuan City in Caraga Region have been impassable due to floodwater and landslides.

Floodwaters also submerged villages in Kapalong, Panabo, Carmen, Talaingod, San Isidro, Braulio Dujali and parts of Tagum City, all in Davao del Norte.

In Davao City, thousands were evacuated as rainwater swelled rivers in the area.