Seven people were swept away after flash floods struck a village in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, on the night of July 10, local officials said.
Jose Abad Santos Mayor Jason James Joyce said the missing individuals were from Barangay Tanuman. As of Saturday, authorities had not yet released their identities.
Joyce appealed to residents to immediately report to their respective barangay captains if they locate any of the missing individuals, whether alive or dead, to assist search and rescue operations.
The mayor also said several houses were swept away in another barangay. However, no casualties were reported there because residents had evacuated before floodwaters reached the area.
On July 11, photos showing the extent of the flooding circulated on social media. The images showed damaged infrastructure and several roads rendered impassable by the flood.
Heavy rains affected large parts of Mindanao as the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, intensified due to Super Typhoon Inday, which remained over the northern part of the Philippines.
The flooding struck just one month after Davao Occidental was among the provinces hardest hit by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8. The earthquake destroyed homes, displaced thousands of residents and claimed numerous lives across affected areas.
Authorities continue search efforts for the seven missing individuals while monitoring conditions in flood-hit communities. Residents have been advised to remain alert for possible flooding and to coordinate with local officials as rescue and assessment operations continue.
