Tropical storm batters the Philippines: deaths in Cagayan de Oro, floods in Iligan City

Storm makes landfall and spreads heavy rain

Tropical Storm Penha made landfall in the southeastern province of Surigao del Sur late Thursday. Rain fell without pause. Water ran down slopes. The ground softened and gave way.

By Friday around midday, the storm was tracked near Bohol Province with sustained winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 70 kilometers per hour. The rain and wind band stretched across 660 kilometers, spreading heavy precipitation across wide areas of the central and southern Philippines.

Landslide kills family in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

In a village in the southern part of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, torrential rain triggered a landslide in a quarry area. Mud and rock rushed downslope and struck a shanty. Four people were killed.

Antonio Sugarol, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, said the victims were a couple and their two children. The structure collapsed under the weight of debris. Rain continued to fall. The hillside remained unstable.

Floodwaters trap families in Iligan City, Philippines

In Iligan City, Philippines, floodwater poured into homes in low lying neighborhoods. In Mahayahay and Tubod villages, families moved to upper floors as water kept rising. Streets turned into channels. Mud coated doorsteps. Fences disappeared beneath the flow.

One resident called the DZMM radio network on Friday, pleading for rescue from the second floor of her home as water trapped her and three relatives. Rescue teams moved toward the flooded homes. Evacuations unfolded house by house.

The swollen Tubod River forced the temporary closure of a national highway bridge. Water rose to about one meter at its peak and swept away parked vehicles. Traffic came to a halt.

Mass displacement and school closures

More than 6,000 people were displaced by the storm. Of these, 5,800 residents moved into evacuation centers across southern and central provinces. Classes were suspended in many areas. Schoolyards stood empty. Water pooled across courtyards.

Transport disruptions leave travelers stranded

Rough seas led to the temporary suspension of inter island ferries and cargo ships. Nearly 5,000 passengers and cargo workers were stranded in 94 seaports.

Air travel was also disrupted. Authorities reported 32 canceled flights, affecting 7,737 travelers. Airport halls filled with luggage. Lines lengthened. Announcements changed as schedules were adjusted.

Two names for the same storm system

The storm was identified as Penha in national briefings and as Basyang in local reports. The system moved toward Central Visayas. Heavy rain and gusty winds left streets in Iligan City covered in mud and debris. Low lying neighborhoods emptied. Families carried essentials. Water lingered.

Forecast track and weakening

Forecasters said the storm was moving northwest across the central island provinces toward Palawan Province. It was expected to weaken into a tropical depression later Friday. Rain bands continued to pass. Winds arrived in bursts.

A country exposed to repeated hazards

The Philippines is struck by around 20 typhoons and storms each year. The country also faces frequent earthquakes and has more than a dozen active volcanoes. These overlapping hazards place communities at constant risk. In the storm, the danger appeared at doorsteps. In fast water. In mud left behind.