A sinkhole is speculated to have diverted possibly the flow of water instead of toward a waterfall in southern Cebu deemed a popular tourist spot. The area has dried up despite episodes of heavy rain since June 2024.

The Local Government Unit of Oslob will investigate the possibility of a sinkhole where stream water could have flowed into instead of cascading at Tumalog Falls.

According to Atty. Ronald Guaren, mayor of Oslob, they will conduct an inspection this week on the source and path of the water leading to Tumalog Falls to determine why the area continues to remain dry despite the torrential rains in the past weeks.

He said that tributaries have been feeding water to the stream, but the water has not cascaded at Tumalog.

Videos and photographs of the area sans the falling of water have perplexed residents and netizens.

Speculations had it that the water could have taken on a new path, or that possible disruptions both natural and man-made could have diverted the flow of water.

Guaren said that the absence of water in Tumalog worries residents who have come to depend on the activities at the tourist spot as a source of livelihood.

The situation also worries town leaders as there might be environmental conditions that they need to understand.

“Karon within this week kay gapaabot man gud mi nga mabalik ba ang tubig kay gasige na baya og uwan, na-surprise mi nganong wa, mao nang among bisitahon, unsa gyud [ang] rason kay naa may tubig, nganong di kaabot didto, subject for confirmation kon sinkhole ba gyud,” Mayor Guaren said.