Floods due to Amihan, ITCZ batter parts of Mindanao

Heavy rains due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the Northeast Monsoon are causing flash floods and landslides that continue to affect residents in parts of Mindanao and Luzon.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Bernadette Reyes on Friday, heavy rains have caused raging floodwaters in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental since Thursday night.

Residents for a while were unable to get out of their homes due to rising floodwaters. Livestock were immediately moved to higher areas to avoid the risk of drowning.

Floods also caused a bridge in Malita, Davao Occidental to become impassable, while landslides caused obstructions in some roads in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

In Saranggani, flooded roads in Maitum have stranded some motorists.

Rescuers assisted the stranded residents in safely crossing the road.

A similar situation was noted in Alabel town, where cars were stalled due to the flood. Passengers were forced to alight and tread through the flood to get to their destinations.

In Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, over 25 families were affected after strong winds and heavy rains destroyed houses in the area.

Meanwhile, heavy rains brought by the Northeast Monsoon also caused inconvenience after the Pinacanauan River overflowed and submerged a bridge in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Bridges in Baggao were also impassable due to continuous heavy rain, causing local governments to implement preemptive evacuation for residents near rivers and low-lying areas.

Floods in Casiguran, Aurora have yet to cease after days of continuous rain, while several landslides have obstructed roads in Quirino province. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News