Flood Toll Rises to Eight in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Following Severe Storms

MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR — The death toll from severe flooding in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has increased to eight after a 22-year-old man drowned in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur while attempting to rescue his cow during the weekend floods.

According to Philippines News Agency, municipal disaster officer of Pagalungan, during a radio interview on Monday, the young man’s tragic death occurred in Barangay Damalasak as the region grappled with widespread flooding affecting 22 of Maguindanao del Sur’s 24 towns. The floods were the result of persistent heavy rainfall that also impacted neighboring North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao del Norte provinces.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the region on Sunday, particularly focusing on Matanog in Maguindanao del Norte, where five children lost their lives to flash floods on July 9. Tim Ambolodto, the provincial disaster risk reduction management chief for Maguindanao del Sur, reported that 15 other towns besides Pagalungan and Datu Montawal experienced significant flooding, affecting approximately 69,616 families across the province.

Earlier incidents in Lanao del Sur saw two additional fatalities in the towns of Balabagan and Kapatagan due to the floods. Joefel Delicana, spokesperson for the BARMM disaster management unit, confirmed that a total of 94,395 individuals have been impacted by the calamity. Infrastructure damage includes two public schools and a multipurpose gym, with 425 homes reported damaged according to the BARMM-Rapid Emergency Action in Disaster Incidence.

“The province has been placed on red alert status,” Delicana stated, underscoring the severity of the situation. Additional reports from North Cotabato revealed that the body of a woman who drowned in Maramag, Bukidnon, was recovered from Kabacan River.