Man dares risky river crossing as localized thunderstorms in Mindanao trigger flooding, landslides

Parts of Mindanao have been affected again by flooding and landslides due to the localized thunderstorms while the video of a man hanging onto a rope to cross a rushing river went viral, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.

In a “24 Oras” report by Raffy Tima on Tuesday, a viral video shows a man hanging onto a rope to cross a rushing river in Barangay Poloy-poloy, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, to retrieve a vehicle he left behind.

In the same barangay and in Barangay Salangsang, several areas were rendered impassable due to landslides, with wet mud and tree branches blocking the roads.

In Barangay Calasuyan, Kidapawan City, residents attempted to save their plants from strong floodwaters, while floodwater nearly inundated several homes.

According to Tima’s report, rivers and drainage canals overflowed, quickly flooding low-lying areas.

In Arakan, Cotabato motorists struggled to navigate a road mostly blocked by a massive landslide. People had to help push motorcycles through a steep, makeshift path formed by the fallen wet soil.

In Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur several roads resembled a river due to the floodwaters. The local government unit advised residents to prepare for possible evacuation if floodwaters continue to rise and the inclement weather persists.

Meanwhile, in Datu Paglas, murky floodwater inundated homes. In the dark, residents kept a close watch over their belongings as household items floated inside their houses.

In Pandag, particularly in Barangay Kabuling, classes were suspended after heavy rainfall caused a school to be submerged in floodwater. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BAP, GMA News