Massive flooding hits Surigao del Sur due to ‘Basyang’
TANDAG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR—Widespread flooding triggered by heavy rains from Tropical Depression “Basyang” (international name: Penha) before it weakened into a low-pressure area affected more than 350,000 individuals in this province and other parts of Mindanao, authorities said on Sunday.
In Surigao del Sur alone, floods affected about 77,000 families—or nearly 292,300 residents—in 244 barangays, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
As of 6 p.m. on Saturday, at least 23,437 families—or about 80,140 individuals—were staying in 428 evacuation centers, while another 5,571 families remained displaced outside formal shelters.
Authorities reported two fatalities and one injured person in the province, with no missing individuals. At least 426 houses were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters.
“We had to swim just to reach the main road. We couldn’t bring anything with us. We left all our belongings behind just to save ourselves,” recalled Anadel, a resident of Barangay Camagong in Tago town.
Hardest-hit areas
The hardest-hit municipalities in Surigao del Sur included Barobo, Cagwait, Carrascal, Carmen, Cortes, Tago and San Miguel. Barobo recorded the highest number of affected residents, with 60,466 people displaced and 18 evacuation centers activated.
Damage to infrastructure—including government buildings, schools, roads and bridges—was initially estimated at more than P698 million, while agricultural losses exceeded P548 million, affecting rice and corn farms, livestock, poultry and fisheries.
PDRRMO officer in charge Lot Garrido said damage assessment and validation are ongoing, noting that the figures may still change as field reports come in.
Data from the Office of Civil Defense showed that nine deaths were reported in Northern Mindanao, including four members of a family killed in a landslide in Cagayan de Oro City, and four in Lanao del Norte.
In the Caraga region, three deaths were reported—two in Surigao del Sur and one in Agusan del Norte—all due to drowning.
In Iligan City, the Emergency Operations Center confirmed five deaths linked to flooding caused by Basyang since last week.
The fatalities were identified as Jean Pontoy Viajente, 51, of Barangay Tambacan; Cleford Jay Dandasan, 30, of Barangay Saray; Fidel Aguinid, 60, of Barangay Tubod; Elly Herbito of Barangay Abuno; and Vevencio Dala of Tagoloan town in Lanao del Norte, who was swept away by floodwaters and later recovered downstream in Barangay Mandulog.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that 21,700 individuals were seeking temporary shelter in 33 evacuation centers across Iligan City.
On Feb. 6, Iligan was placed under a state of calamity due to the extensive damage caused by Basyang.
Iligan Mayor Frederick Siao also ordered the suspension of classes at all levels, both public and private, from Feb. 9 to Feb. 13 to allow recovery efforts and ensure public safety.
Authorities continue to urge residents in flood-prone and landslide-risk areas to remain vigilant as weather conditions remain unstable. —REPORTS FROM QUEENIE CASIO, DIVINA M. SUSON, RICHEL V. UMEL AND BOBBY LAGSA
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