CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A couple and their two children were killed after a landslide buried their house in Zone One, Sitio Sambulawan, Barangay Agusan, at the height of Tropical Storm Basyang, which made landfall in Bayaban, Surigao del Sur, before midnight Thursday.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department said the landslide occurred at around 7 p.m. Thursday. Members of the city’s Urban Search and Rescue team later retrieved the victims’ bodies from the rubble.
Earlier, the department issued a heavy to intense rainfall advisory, warning of possible serious flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and landslide-prone areas.
Residents were advised to evacuate immediately if located in danger zones, avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, creeks, and flood-prone areas, and follow advisories from the city government and disaster authorities.
As of 4 a.m. Friday, rescue operations led by CDRRMD–Oro Rescue were ongoing in Barangay Bugo in response to Tropical Storm Basyang. Authorities said responders were on the ground assisting with evacuations and ensuring residents’ safety.
Mayor Rolando Klarex Uy ordered the suspension of work in all government offices and classes in both public and private schools in Cagayan de Oro City effective noon Thursday until Friday.
For tertiary-level institutions, class suspensions were left to the discretion of school heads. Work in government offices was suspended except for essential services, while private sector work suspensions were left to the discretion of employers.