Five people who were bathing and doing laundry at the Tumalaong River in Baungon, Bukidnon were rescued after they were stranded when the water level rose suddenly.

According to a netizen, the river swelled unexpectedly despite the fair weather, prompting residents to call for help.

Those who were rescued included three women and two men.

The surge may have been caused by the rains in the uphill area.

“Na-stranded sila tungod kay nangaligo sila then nanglaba ug wala sila nakabantay nga naa na diay senyales nga nagtaas na diay ang tubig. Then, mao na dayon to na-trap sila. Nanawag dayon (og tabang) ang mga nakakita didto,” Cecille Faith Baigad of the Baungon MDRRMO Operations said.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) explained that the group was trapped after the island they used as an exit route was submerged by the rising waters.

“Island man gud na siya. Nahitabo na nga naluag na ang Tumalaong River tungod sa miagi nga (Bagyong) Sendong. Di ba taas kayo ang init last few weeks, so dili ingon ana kaayo kataas ang tubig, so matabukan ra to siya, kato didto, dapit sa ilawom sa tulay pero og modako na kaayo ang tubig, sulog gyud to siya,” Baigad added.

Rescuers used ropes and other equipment to pull the five individuals to safety. They were brought later to the Rural Health Unit for assessment.

The local government urged residents to exercise caution and monitor river conditions to prevent similar incidents.