BANSALAN, DAVAO DEL SUR – A man was dead while two others, including a child, were missing when floods brought large parts of this town under water Thursday, officials said yesterday.

Police said the body of Victor Boyo, 30, was found in a river near the village of Clarin.

Insp. Emelix Mabalot, town police chief, said a woman and child were reported missing. Their identities were not immediately known.

Rescuers are conducting a search but have been unsuccessful until late afternoon yesterday.

Edwin Reyes, town mayor, said at least 500 families found their homes with water. At least 200 of the families, living near a river, were evacuated.

The flooding, which also destroyed a bridge, puzzled many in the town as it occurred in good weather.

Arturo Gallardo, village chieftain, said some residents reported seeing a waterspout descend on the remote village of Managa.

Virginia Javellona, municipal disaster coordinating council chair, said the flood was the worst the town has seen in years.

In Davao City, heavy rains flooded streets as the city’s flood control system became saturated with excess water. Orlando Dinoy, Inquirer Mindanao and Nikko Dizon in Manila