Arya News - Heavy rains also trigger landslides in Soccsksargen while water shortages hit Caraga region.
SAN FRANCISCO – While relentless rains have triggered flash floods and landslides across parts of southwestern Mindanao in recent days, communities in the island’s northeastern section are grappling with the opposite problem—a prolonged dry spell that has left thousands of residents facing water shortages.
At least 1,300 households in three villages in this town, particularly those in elevated areas, have been experiencing water shortages or intermittent service since June after prolonged dry weather significantly reduced the yield of local water sources, according to the San Francisco Water District.
Elmer Luzon, the water district’s general manager, said on Tuesday the utility is facing a critical water supply shortage as persistently dry conditions have caused water levels at its primary sources to decline.
According to Luzon, prolonged dry spell has reduced the yield of water sources. Dry spell is defined as three consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition.
Luzon added that rainfall recorded at the Mt. Magdiwata Watershed—the town’s main water source—dropped sharply during the first three weeks of July, further straining the municipality’s water supply.
San Francisco, a municipality in the Caraga region, experienced a similar water crisis in November 2024 when below-normal rainfall caused water levels at the Mt. Magdiwata Watershed to fall significantly.
The dry conditions in northeastern Mindanao stand in sharp contrast to the situation in Soccsksargen, where weeks of heavy rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, damaged infrastructure, displaced residents, and forced the suspension of classes in several areas.
On Monday, flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant heavy rains hit parts of Soccsksargen (Region 12), forcing about 100 families in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, to evacuate for their safety.
Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas as the threat of flash floods remained high in the municipality.
According to the Columbio Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), floodwaters rapidly rose in parts of Barangay Poblacion. Flooding was also reported in Barangays Libertad and Sinapulan.
The local government immediately launched rescue and evacuation operations in Barangay Poblacion as chest-deep floodwaters trapped residents in several affected communities.
Among those rescued were a stroke patient and several elderly women. Two children were also reportedly swept away by floodwaters but were safely rescued by emergency responders with the help of nearby residents.
The approach to a bridge in Barangay Mayo was damaged by erosion, rendering the structure unsafe for heavy vehicles.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the heavy rains that began Monday afternoon were caused by localized thunderstorms.
In the coastal town of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, flash floods also submerged parts of Barangay Poloy-Poloy on Monday afternoon following heavy downpours. Two families were initially trapped but were later rescued by disaster response personnel.
A provincial road connecting Barangays Poloy-Poloy and Salangsang was closed after a landslide damaged a section of the road.
Motorists were advised to take the alternate route through Barangay Bululawan to reach Barangay Salangsang until the damaged road is repaired.
In Cotabato province, flash floods and landslides also occurred in Kidapawan City and the town of Arakan on Monday.
Based on an incident report from the Kidapawan City DRRMO, an acid spill involving an as yet unidentified chemical occurred, five houses were damaged, and four livestock storage facilities were affected by the rain-induced incidents.