CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding in Cagayan de Oro City and parts of Northern Mindanao on Friday night, January 2, marking the first significant flood event of the new year in the region.

State weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the downpour was driven by easterlies and wind convergence, affecting provinces including Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and surrounding areas. 

Floodwaters inundated streets and low-lying communities, with the Cagayan River, Iponan River, and creeks swelling. Rampaging floodwaters were reported in some areas, prompting residents to move to higher ground and sending the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMD) on alert.

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In the village of Balulang, rising floodwaters washed out several small homes during the heavy rainfall, leaving some families without time to salvage belongings, particularly as most of the affected houses were built with light materials.

The heavy rain also disrupted water services. Parts of the city’s west service area and portions of the east experienced interruptions after swollen rivers affected intake screens at local provider Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) said. 

COBI supplies roughly 80% of eastern Cagayan de Oro’s water and 40% of the western part, drawing directly from the rivers, COWD chairman Gerry Cano told Magnum Radio on Saturday, January 3.

Cagayan de Oro remained mostly cloudy on Saturday morning. Nearby areas in Bukidnon, including Libona, Mampayag, Dahilayan, Lindaban, Manolo Fortich, Talakag, and Baungon, also experienced overcast conditions, the CDRRMD said. 

The Iponan River has begun to recede but remains under close monitoring, while water levels in the Cagayan River have returned to normal.

Authorities urged residents, particularly in flood-prone barangays, to continue monitoring weather advisories and take precautions. 

Similar weather conditions persisted for hours across Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and neighboring provinces, raising the risk of further flooding.

PAGASA also issued a general flood advisory for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), placing rivers including the Dapao and Matling in Lanao del Sur, and the Nituan, Mindanao, Allah, and Buluan in Maguindanao, under close watch. 

The heavy rain came amid a combination of weather systems, including a shear line affecting Southern Luzon and the northeast monsoon over northern and central Luzon. – Rappler.com