Lana del Norte—On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, the Lanao del Sur flood affected 3,000 families. The flash flood brought by the low-pressure area killed at least one person and left seven others missing.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), more than 3,100 families from 40 barangays, including Balabagan, Kapatagan, Malabang, and Marogong, were affected by the incident.
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Jennie Tamano, a Lanao del Sur provincial information officer, said a 14-year-old boy from Barangay Kabaniakawan, Kapatagan, was found dead on Thursday morning. While a 15-year-old teenager was reported missing from the same town.
Meanwhile, in Barangay Igabay in Balabagan, rescuers continue to search for two reported missing children, including a two-year-old male toddler and his three-year-old sister. Four were also recorded injured in the same town.
As of Wednesday, authorities estimated that 3,199 families were affected by the Lanao del Sur flood in 45 Malabang, Balabagan, Kapatagan, and Marogong villages.
On July 9, the PDRRMC, headed by Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong, held an emergency meeting to implement rescue protocols.
Road clearing operations started on Thursday in the flood-affected towns. “Flood waters in the affected areas have already subsided. Search, rescue, and retrieval operation is underway in Balabagan,” PDRRMC officer Shaminoden Sambitory stated.
Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. already ordered relief packs and assistance to be immediately distributed to the families affected by the Lanao del Sur flood.
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According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the flash floods were due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The bureaus also said that La Niña is still transitioning, and the country will feel its effect next year.
“Ngayon po yung mga impacts unti-unti na nating nararamdaman. Although nasa transition period pa rin po tayo. Nasa neutral condition pa run ang pacific,” Davao PAGASA Station Weather Specialist, Alan Rey Ribo, said.
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