Families in Iligan City flee floods spawned by LPA-induced rains

Rescuers help to carry to safety an elderly resident in Barangay Suarez, Iligan City amid rising floodwaters on Sunday evening. Photo from Liezel Buaquiña

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY––Hundreds of families have evacuated to safer grounds after continuous heavy rains flooded their communities in Iligan City.

The state weather bureau earlier issued an advisory about heavy rainfall over Lanao del Norte and the cities of Iligan and Marawi, lasting until the wee hours of Monday due to a low-pressure area.

Many residents took to social media to seek help from the local government’s disaster response office. Liezel Grace Buaquiña posted photos of the flood and villagers’ rescue efforts in the Zone Family Village of Barangay Suarez. “Rescue please!” Buaquiña appealed.

DPWH personnel prepare to clear the debris from a landslide in Barangay Buru-un, Iligan City on Sunday night that blocked the national highway. Photo from Jay Cabanday/RMN-DxIC

Other parts of Suarez were reportedly flooded. Power was cut off in the village around midnight.

In Barangay Maria Cristina, families who fled from the floods took shelter at the covered court.

In other parts of the city, residents also posted flooded roads, with some saying they had recollections of the bad memories of Typhoon “Sendong” in December 2011 that ravaged the city.

The rains spawned a landslide around 9 p.m. in Barangay Buru-un, closing the national highway to vehicular traffic. Department of Public Works and Highways personnel have worked overtime to clear the debris. A landslide also hit a portion of the C3 diversion road.

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