6-year-old girl swept away by floodwaters in Iloilo

A 6-year-old girl drowned after being swept away by the raging floodwaters in Iloilo, wherein nine barangays were inundated due to localized thunderstorms and the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

According to Zen Quilantang's report for GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas on "24 Oras", the victim was crossing the river with her three friends in the town of Tigbauan on Monday afternoon when she was swept away by the current. The next day, her body was discovered along the shore of Barangay Namokon.

“Pagpunta ng pamilya kasama ang Leon PNP, nagconfirm ang lola na same ang natagpuang bata,” said Police Liutenent Mary Jean Panes, Tigbauan PNP Chief.

(When [the victim's] family arrived at the site with the Leon PNP, the grandmother confirmed it was the missing child).

Meanwhile, floodwaters also forced the residents of Leon, Iloilo to evacuate temporarily. The flood damaged rip-raps, crops and caused landslides.

According to PAGASA, the non-stop rain in the area was brought about by localized thunderstorms and the ITCZ. Residents, especially those living in landslide and flood prone areas to be alert. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News