February 05, 2024: In a devastating turn of events, the southern Philippines has been battered by severe flooding and landslides, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 20 lives. The disaster struck the provinces of Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte, where torrential rains triggered by a northeast monsoon and a low-pressure area wreaked havoc from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2.
According to officials from the provincial disaster agencies, 13 individuals lost their lives in Davao de Oro, with two more missing, while seven fatalities were reported in neighboring Davao del Norte. The calamity has left over 812,000 people affected, forcing approximately 85,000 individuals to seek refuge in evacuation centers.
Sadly, this catastrophe is not an isolated incident. Just weeks prior, in mid-January, 18 lives were claimed by floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in the same region. Landslides and floods are unfortunately common in the Philippines, a nation of over 7,600 islands that is battered by approximately 20 tropical storms annually.
Efforts are underway to provide relief and aid to the affected communities, but the road to recovery will be long and challenging. The resilience of the Filipino people will be tested once again as they come together to rebuild and recover from this tragedy.