‘INDAY’-TRIGGERED LANDSLIDES KILL 15 IN SARANGANI, LANAO DEL SUR

FIFTEEN people were killed in landslides that hit Saranggani and Lanao del Sur on Friday.

The landslides were triggered by  typhoon “Inday”  and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.

In Malapatan, Saranggani,  10 people, mostly children, died in a landslide that occurred at Sitio Pandaw, Bgy. Poblacion at about 3 a.m.  Friday.

Authorities said the heavy downpour caused by the tail end of “Inday” saturated the soil and caused the earth collapse.

The fatalities were identified as Alejandro Maladian, Bina Binaton Maladian, Jordan Binaton Maladian, Weljay Maladian, Bonbon Cawari, Therd Yaton Dawang, Prince Yaton Dawang, Save Yaton Dawang, Daniel Binaton Dawang and Ricky Ben Dawang.

The victims were sleeping when their shanties were rammed by soil and boulders that cascaded from a hill, loosened by recurring heavy downpours that began on Wednesday night, spawned by “Inday.”

Meanwhile, Malapatan Mayor Exodus Sumbo has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents living in landslide‑ and flood‑prone zones in the town.

Relief goods and medical assistance were being mobilized to support the  survivors.

Sumbo has extended his  deepest condolences to the victims’ families and assured that all available resources are being used  to respond to the crisis.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant as weather threats persist and further ground movement remains possible.

In Lanao del Sur, five people died while six remain missing following a landslide that struck Bgy. Ngingir in Calanogas.,

The Lanao del Sur Police said the  landslide happened at about 2:30 a.m.  also on Friday.

Authorities identified the fatalities as Norhaya Camar, Mohsin Juhary, Naifa Mansawi, Akmad Camar and Norhaina Ali. 

Those missing were Mujahid Abduljamid, Mobairah Abdulrashid, Norhasan Abdulrashid, Lilikan Arab, Norlin Ali, and Norhanima Ali. 

An investigation showed the landslide was caused by prolonged heavy rainfall due to habagat enhanced by “Inday.”