CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines--A child was killed, seven persons are missing and 5,480 families have been displaced in flash floods that struck this city and Gingoog over the weekend, local disaster officials said on Sunday.

Seven persons have been reported missing in this city, while in Gingoog City, more than a hundred kilometers away from here, a child was killed in the flashflood.

Roger Lapura, the city disaster coordinator and operations chief of the Office of Civil Defense in Northern Mindanao, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that two children, one a five-year-old and the other, a six-year-old, were among the seven missing persons in this city.

As of Sunday morning, some 5,480 families from 13 barangay (villages) have been displaced by the flooding. Hardest hit were the villages of Macasandig and Consolacion, situated near the Cagayan de Oro River, known for white water rafting.

At least 30 houses have been destroyed by the sudden flooding.

Various rescue operations, including those launched by white water rafting operators, have been helping find the seven missing persons.

The rafters used their rubber boats while the others used banana trunks and plastic basin among other items to rescue people at the height of the flood. Farm animals and pets were also swept away by the rampaging waters. Houses along riverbank were also submerged.

Fanny Pabito, acting City Social Welfare Officer here, said her office had sufficient supplies for the displaced residents now taking shelter in 13 evacuation centers in the city.

"We are glad that private individuals, companies and organizations have responded immediately to help the victims. Some of the victims have chosen to go back home and clean their houses which are filled with thick mud," Pabito said.

Anna Cañeda, training officer of the Office of the Civil Defense in Northern Mindanao, said the flashflood also affected 1,495 families in Gingoog City and 864 families in Iligan City.

Cañeda said that the flash floods were triggered by the two low pressure areas over Northern Mindanao.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration here had given advisories since January 2 that Eastern and Northern Mindanao should brace for heavy rains that might trigger flashfloods.