At least 2 dead, 1 missing in Cebu City flood

Two men died while a teenage boy is missing in Cebu City after a night of massive flooding due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday, October 13. 

Ramil Ayuman, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), announced this at a press conference on Wednesday, October 14. 

Ayuman said the first flood-related death is an 85-year-old man from Barangay Lorega San Miguel.

The man, who was with his wife in the second floor of their home, reportedly tried to check the flooding on their ground floor. Ayuman said they believe that the man slipped and fell into the flooded area in the process.

The second death is a 49 year-old man who was swept away by floodwaters along the boundary of Barangay Lahug and Barangay Busay. Ayuman said the man was drunk during the incident. A video of the accident is now circulating online.

Meanwhile, a 16 year-old streetdweller was also reported missing. He was reportedly sleeping near Maxilom Avenue when floodwaters began to rise

Local authorities formed a retrieval team composed of personnel of the CCDRRMO, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard, with the Red Cross to search for the missing teen.

Rain started pouring at around 7 pm on Tuesday. Floodwaters in affected areas rose to hip level within a couple of hours. 

Based on the latest reports his office received before the press briefing, Ayuman said about 20 barangays experienced flooding or landslides, or both.

Among the flooded areas are Barangay Camputhaw, Barangay Apas,  Barangay Pulangbato, Barangay Talamban, Barangay Lahug, Barangay Lorega, and Sitios Bangkayan and Tuburan.

Ayuman also reported that Barangay Malubog, Barangay Bonbon, Barangay Kalunasan, and Barangay Busay experienced landslides following the heavy downpour. 

The CCDRRMO is still awaiting the rest of the reports of the barangays

To avoid further casualties during the La Niña months, Ayuman said the city government has identified P150 million available anti-flooding funds from the City Engineering Office.

“Ang pinaka-worst is, namatyan man gud ta. We need to talk with Engineering, gitan-aw nato nga naa pa’y budget sila nga P150 million (The worst part is, we have casualties. We need to talk with Engineering, we see that they have a remaining budget of P150 million),” he said.

Ayuman also said he will endorse the relocation of residents living within the 3-meter easement zones of the city’s rivers and creeks during the City Disaster Council Meeting. – Rappler.com