1 dead in Davao Region due to Habagat, Kiyapo; 127,000 affected in PH

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Davao Region reported one fatality on Saturday as the combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and Typhoon Kiyapo continued to pummel Mindanao and other parts of the country.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, OCD Region 11 Director Ednar Dayanghirang said heavy rains brought about by the Habagat drenched Davao City, resulting in the evacuation of residents in three barangays.

"Mayroon tayong reported ng City Disaster Officer na mayroong one dead… [he] was already turned over to the PNP (Philippine National Police), was swept away with his motorcycle. So, sa Barangay… Talandang ng third district of Davao City," Dayanghirang said.

(Our City Disaster Officer reported one dead… the victim was swept away with his motorcycle at Barangay Talandang in the third district of Davao City.)

OCD Region 11 has not yet recorded any missing or injured individuals. However, over 300 families were affected in barangays Talomo Proper, Katalunan, and Intal.

Dayanghirang said the red alarm was hoisted over Matina River amid rising waters, prompting the preemptive evacuation of nearby communities. The river returned to green code status as of early morning of Saturday, July 25.

As of about 11 a.m., national roads were no longer flooded, the regional director said.

Thousands affected

Earlier in the day, OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo told Super Radyo dzBB that as of the evening of July 24, a total of 30 flooded areas were reported in Regions IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), XI (Davao Region), XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)—with at least 27,000 families affected.

"Sa ngayon, 'yung apektadong mga pamilya, umabot ito sa 27,000 na mga pamilya ang apektado, katumbas ito ng 127,000 na mga kababayan natin," Castillo said.

(As of now, we have 27,000 families affected or 127,000 individuals.)

Castillo said some 1,999 individuals are currently in 55 evacuation centers, adding that search, rescue, and retrieval teams are on standby.

"Through the DSWD, OCD, at saka iba pang mga ahensya may mga naka pre-position naman tayo na mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. In terms of the standby funds, the relief stockpiles natin, meron ito, hindi nating nakikitang kukulangin ito," Castillo said.

(Through the DSWD, OCD, and other agencies, relief supplies for our citizens have already been pre-positioned. In terms of standby funds and our relief stockpiles, these are available, and we do not see them running short.)

According to Castillo, search, retrieval, and rescue operations were carried out for residents trapped on their roofs, adding that response teams remain on standby for immediate deployment.

A total of 115 houses were damaged across different regions, 88 of which were completely destroyed.

According to the OCD, it has yet to receive reports on infrastructure or agricultural damage caused by the Habagat and the tropical cyclone. Communication lines remain operational, allowing the central office to maintain contact with regional offices, and regional offices with their local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices.

Following weeks of rain, Castillo advised the public to stay alert and keep updated on advisories from local authorities.

"Lalo doon sa areas po na landslide-prone o mga flooding-prone areas dahil sa ilang araw po siyempre ng mga pag-uulan, mag-ingat po tayo, makinig sa abiso po ng mga lokal na awtoridad natin," Castillo said.

(After several days of rain, let's take precautions and listen to advisories from our local authorities, especially for those in landslide- or flood-prone areas.)

Videos and reports compiled by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao showed the extent of heavy flooding across Davao City.

In low-lying communities, floodwaters submerged several areas in Barangay Talomo Proper.

Meanwhile, video footage uploaded by Abegail Dawa captured fast-moving, muddy floodwaters rushing across a highway in Barangay Tugbok Proper, leaving many motorists stranded.

A pickup truck was reportedly swept away by floodwaters in Taal, Barangay Talomo Proper.

Gail Padillo and her family were forced onto the roof of their home in Ulas, Barangay Talomo Proper. In a photo she posted online pleading for urgent rescue, floodwaters could be seen nearly reaching the roofline of neighboring houses.

Padillo said that they had not experienced flooding this severe since 2019. Because it had not rained on July 23, residents were caught off guard when a nearby river suddenly overflowed. Instead of evacuating, they chose to wait for the floodwaters to subside.

Rescue operations continued through the downpour into midnight on July 25. In Barangay Tugbok Proper, Philippine Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao personnel rescued two children who were found clinging to a tree to avoid being swept away by strong currents.

In Bangkal, local search and rescue teams evacuated stranded residents to the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish gymnasium, which served as a temporary evacuation center.

The severe flooding also caused extensive damage at Leon A. Garcia Elementary School in Bangkal, where waters rose high enough on Friday night to nearly submerge ground-floor classrooms. School administrators and local community members are calling for urgent support and donations to assist affected families and rebuild damaged facilities.

— VDV/VBL, GMA News