Typhoon Inday leaves trail of destruction across Visayas, Mindanao

Heavy rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Inday left a trail of destruction across parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, triggering floods, landslides, collapsed bridges, and damaged homes.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV's Zen Quilantang-Sasa on "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday, flooding hit at least eight barangays in Iloilo City.

In Barangay Lopez Jaena Sur in La Paz District, floodwaters reached knee-deep, forcing motorists to slow down.

In the Arevalo District, massive waves caused seawater to inundate several coastal communities.

"Diyan kami nakalusong, basa pati mga foam at unan. Hindi kami nakapaghanda kasi hatinggabi, buti sana kung araw lang, makikita mo ang alon," said resident Marlen Opelario.

(We had to wade through the floodwaters. Even our foam mattresses and pillows got soaked. We couldn't prepare because it happened at midnight. It would have been better if it happened during the day when we could see the waves.)

In Miagao, Iloilo, 19 members of the Badjao tribe were rescued after being trapped beneath a bridge and were immediately taken to an evacuation center.

In Antique, at least 18 houses were destroyed by strong winds and heavy rain.

The Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said more than 1,600 families were affected by the severe weather, with nearly 700 families staying in evacuation centers.

"Nagsikap na makapasok sa evacuation center as part ng preemptive evacuation natin. Umabot sa 697 families, sampung bayan ito," Antique PDRRMO head Broderick Train said.

(Residents made their way to evacuation centers as part of our preemptive evacuation efforts. A total of 697 families from 10 municipalities were evacuated.)

In Culasi, Antique, a passenger van driver and eight passengers survived after a tree fell on their vehicle.

In Sibalom, Antique, a man was electrocuted while clearing leaves from the roof of his house. He is now recovering in a hospital.

Meanwhile, in Bacolod City, a portion of the wall of the Burgos Public Cemetery collapsed. No injuries were reported. The local government temporarily closed the affected section of the road while repair work is being planned.

Mindanao

In Mindanao, at least 17 people were killed in two separate landslides, according to a report by GMA Regional TV's Efren Mamac on "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday.

Authorities confirmed that 10 people died in the landslide that struck Sitio Fundao, Barangay Poblacion in Malapatan, Sarangani, on Friday.

According to Mamac's report, Philippine Army personnel helped recover eight bodies early Saturday. The remains were brought to the city proper for processing. As of publication, rescuers were still searching for one missing child.

In Calanogas, Lanao del Sur, the death toll from another landslide rose to seven, including one child. Search and clearing operations continue for four people who remain missing, according to the local government.

Persistent rains brought by Typhoon Inday also damaged several bridges, disrupting travel in affected areas.

Areas reporting travel disruptions due to collapsed bridges include Maasim and Maitum in Sarangani; Libungan and Cotabato in Cotabato Province; and the Tuca River area in Maguindanao del Norte.

In T'Boli, South Cotabato, a backhoe plunged into a creek, although no one was inside the vehicle at the time.

Flooding also hit Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

According to Mamac's report, residents of one compound tore down a fence to create an outlet for floodwaters that had accumulated in the area.

In another barangay, a house was nearly buried in mud after a flash flood on Friday night. At least 20 families in the sitio were affected.— Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News