3 Dead In Baguio Landslide; Thousands Evacuated As Monsoons Flood Metro, Other Areas

Three individuals died, four were rescued alive while at least five remained missing following a landslide that hit Barangay Guisad Surong in Baguio City on Sunday, Aug. 9.

According to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, search and rescue operations continue after the landslide that occurred at around 7 p.m. on Sunday amid continuous heavy rains.

In a social media post, the Baguio City Public Information Office (BCPIO) said landslide hit three houses, affecting five families. The first house had seven occupants; the second, two; and the third, three.

Magalong said personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Baguio City Fire Station, Baguio City Police Office, and barangay first responders were deployed to the site for the search and rescue operations.

The Baguio City PIO reported that 14 families composed of 62 individuals, including children aged three to seven, evacuated their homes in Guisad Surong and are currently staying at the Baguio International Academy. Another seven evacuees are staying at the Guisad Surong Barangay Hall.

“The evacuees are urgently in need of food, blankets, clothes, and toiletries as they remain in evacuation centers. Individuals and organizations who are willing and able to help are encouraged to bring their donations directly to the Baguio International Academy or Guisad Surong Barangay Hall. The community is encouraged to extend whatever assistance it can provide to help the affected families during this time,” the Baguio City PIO said.

Thousands evacuated

The enhanced southwest monsoon also caused flooding in several parts of Metro Manila on Sunday, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.

In Quezon City, 351 families or 884 people were evacuated in seven barangays.

The affected residents were staying in nine evacuation centers in the city.

Most of them – 151 families or 494 people – were staying at the evacuation center in Barangay Bagong Silangan in District 2.

Other affected barangays include Sta. Cruz in District 1, Bagumbayan in District 3, Doña Imelda and Roxas in District 4 and Gulod and Sta. Lucia in District 5.

The city government has mobilized personnel to respond to the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon.

In Marikina City, 342 families or 1,961 people took shelter in evacuation centers.

Pasig City also reported flooding, particularly in Barangay Dela Paz.

Three evacuation centers in two Pasig barangays were open, sheltering 101 families or 320 people, according to the city government.

In Malabon, 20 areas were flooded.

Valenzuela also recorded flooding in several areas, although major portions of MacArthur Highway were passable to all types of vehicles.

The San Juan River remained at the alarm level, with water reaching 12.84 meters at 12:20 p.m. on Sunday.

Mayor Francis Zamora said 27 evacuation centers were on standby, including the Pinaglabanan Elementary School.

In Muntinlupa, 31 families or 132 people were evacuated.

Parañaque also reported floods in parts of San Dionisio, San Isidro, BF Homes, San Antonio and Sun Valley. The flooding subsided in the afternoon.

Las Piñas said major roads, including Zapote Junction, were passable to all types of vehicles.

In Cainta, Rizal, residents used improvised boats to evacuate their homes while others wade through floodwaters amid torrential rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon.

In Kawit, Cavite, residents heading to the local market wade through the floodwaters along Binakayan to buy essential supplies on Sunday.

Public warned versus leptospirosis

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to take precautions against leptospirosis.

The DOH reminded the public to seek medical consultation after exposure to floodwaters.