Mayor: At least 40 confirmed dead, 260 missing in Iligan City flash flood

(Updated 12:19 p.m.) At least 40 people have been reported dead and 260 others missing due to flash floods caused by heavy rain from Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) in Iligan City in Mindanao, a local official said Saturday. In an interview on Balitanghali, Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz said around 40 people have been confirmed dead in the flash flood Friday night, adding that 260 are missing. But the number of fatalities could still go up.  "May natanggap kaming balita na may 15 bankay na naman na natagpuan," Cruz said. In an earlier interview on News TV Live, Cruz said the city's residents were caught unaware by the flash flood, which, according to him, one of the worst in recent history. "Nabigla po kami lahat. Dumating ang flash flood tulog na yung mga tao. Yung tubig-baha ay galing sa bundok na bumaba sa aming siyudad," he said. Also, Cruz said they need relief goods immediately from the national government. "Nakakuha na kami ng commitment of support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)," Cruz added. According to him, 11 barangays in the city were flooded, and two bridges connecting Iligan to other cities were swept away. Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the DILG and the DSWD to help victims of flash floods and landslides brought by Sendong. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino was to go to Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo to get more details of the situation.   “The president is aware of the situation already. He has been constantly updated by Secretaries (Corazon) Soliman (of DSWD) and (Jesse) Robredo (of DILG),” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.   She said Aquino particularly ordered the two agencies to help residents in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities, two of the hardest-hit areas.   As of Saturday morning, Valte said the DSWD had opened 10 evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro City. — LBG, GMA News