Flooding worse than Tino: Heavy rains swamp Metro

CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Torrential rains spawned by thunderstorms inundated several parts of Metro Cebu on Thursday, triggering widespread flooding, a landslide, and stranding hundreds of commuters and residents.

The day began with relatively fair weather before the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued Thunderstorm Advisory No. 5 at 10:01 a.m., warning of moderate to heavy rain showers, lightning and strong winds over Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City within one to two hours.

The advisory warned of possible flash floods and landslides—an alert that proved accurate as torrential rains overwhelmed drainage systems and submerged roads and residential communities across Cebu City.

Among the hardest-hit areas was Sitio Dakit in Barangay Guadalupe, where floodwaters reportedly rose as high as a basketball ring, rendering roads impassable and forcing residents to seek immediate evacuation.

Severe flooding was also reported in Barangay Labangon, where Katipunan Street was submerged, while residents of La Paloma Subdivision said floodwaters reached the second floor of some homes—worse than what they experienced during Typhoon Tino last year.

In Barangay Tisa, floodwaters reached Sitio Tambisan and Mohon II despite their elevated location, while Sabellano Street in Barangay Punta Princesa was submerged in knee-deep water.

Flooding was likewise reported in Basak Pardo, Kinasang-an, Tagunol, N. Bacalso Avenue, Sitio Kawayan and Sitio Kamagong in Guadalupe.

Even Fuente Osmeña Circle, an uptown area rarely associated with flooding, was inundated. Floodwaters also rose above knee level at Zapatera Elementary School, while portions of M.J. Cuenco Avenue in Barangay Tinago was also flooded.

In front of Elizabeth Mall (E-Mall), floodwaters reached waist level, while residents of Sitio Laray in Barangay Panagdait waded through chest-deep floodwaters.

Colon Street, Manalili Street and the Ayala Access Road also experienced flooding, although these roads remained passable to motorists.

Landslide in Pit-os 

The heavy downpour also triggered a landslide in Miramonte, Barangay Pit-os, where a portion of a hillside collapsed, covering half of the road and posing danger to passing motorists and nearby residents.

River monitoring also indicated rising water levels in several waterways, with Mahiga Creek reaching 2.5 meters, Kinalumsan River 4 meters, Guadalupe River 1.5 meters and the Tejero-Tinago River 2 meters—levels that signal elevated flood risks.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said that as of late afternoon authorities continue to monitor areas not yet included in official reports but already experiencing rising floodwaters.

To assist stranded commuters, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival deployed four buses offering free rides along the Bulacao–City Hall, Guadalupe–City Hall, Talamban–City Hall and Lahug–City Hall routes.

The buses operated in both directions to ferry employees, students and other commuters safely home.

More rain expected

PAGASA warned that unstable weather conditions will persist.

For July 31, forecasters expect cloudy skies with light to moderate rains in the morning, followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon and intermittent rain showers in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, with a heat index of 36 degrees Celsius.

Winds will blow from the west-southwest at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, while coastal waters will remain slight to moderate.

Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant, heed evacuation advisories and avoid crossing flooded roads as heavy rains continue to threaten Metro Cebu.

Makeshift raft

In Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City, residents of a flooded compound resorted to building a makeshift raft from styrofoam, plywood and rope after days of flooding left their community inaccessible.

Resident Christine Cagara said the improvised raft became the only practical way for children and workers to leave the compound safely.

In an interview on Thursday, Cagara said the flooding began after continuous rains over the weekend and worsened on Monday, July 27.

“Pag-weekend nagsabot mi sa taga-compound kung unsaon namo kay risgo man gud,” Cagara said, explaining that residents collectively agreed to build the raft because wading through stagnant floodwater had become dangerous.

She said the floodwaters, which started rising after heavy rains on July 24, failed to subside and instead continued to accumulate.

According to Cagara, the raft was primarily used to fetch her son and transport other children to and from school.

After several days of walking through floodwaters, residents became concerned about possible health risks, with some already taking medication.

“Mao to nga naghimo nalang mi og balsa-balsa. Kay di pwede nga mu-absent pa gyud ang mga bata kay pila na ka days,” she said.
Although the compound has its own water pump, Cagara said it was insufficient to drain the accumulated floodwater.

She said their community has effectively become a catch basin for runoff coming from Sitio Nasipit in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City, while a swamp behind the compound further aggravates the flooding.

Cagara acknowledged the assistance extended by the barangay but said it was not enough because the swamp remained full.

She also sought help from the Office of Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, which coordinated with barangay officials and deployed an additional water pump.

“In fairness ni-reply man sad ang Office ni Mayor Jonkie Ouano, gi-forward sa barangay ug nag-meeting,” she said.

According to Cagara, whenever water rises in the swamp, it easily spills into their low-lying compound.

“Wala gyud mi way nga makagawas mi sa gate namo, maong amo nalang gyud gipangitaan og paagi, naghimo nalang mi og balsa para mapagawas mi,” she said.

Floodwaters finally subsided on Tuesday, July 28, following pumping operations by the barangay and the city government.

However, residents have kept the makeshift raft on standby in case flooding recurs during future downpours.

Some homeowners have also raised the height of their perimeter walls to prevent floodwaters from entering their homes.
Aside from flooding, Cagara said residents are worried about leptospirosis and dengue because of stagnant water.

“Simbako, ang dengue. Kadaghan baya namog mga bata diri,” she said.

Calling for a permanent solution, Cagara said the raft is only a temporary measure.

“Supposedly, ang uwan comforting man unta labi na weekend, nindot ipahuway. Pero kami magbantay gyud mi permi,” she said.

Cabancalan Barangay Captain Francis Karlo “FK” Remedio said the affected compound had not been prone to flooding in the past.

He estimated that at least 30 houses inside the compound, including Cagara’s residence, and about 50 homes in a nearby subdivision were affected.

According to Remedio, a swamp behind the area had long served as a natural drainage channel until a private company blocked the waterway.

He said runoff from Sitio Nasipit in Barangay Talamban could no longer flow naturally, causing floodwaters to accumulate in nearby residential areas.

“Mao na ang nahitabo nga na-flooded sila og maayo,” Remedio said.

The barangay immediately deployed personnel and operated water pumps after receiving reports from residents.

Remedio also met with representatives of the private company, the Office of the Building Official and affected residents to discuss possible solutions.

According to the barangay captain, the company explained that it blocked the swamp to prevent flooding within its own property.

“Akong giistoryahan nga ila lang ablihan bisan gamay lang nga diametro para continuous lang gihapon ang flow sa tubig,” Remedio said.

Remedio said he is still awaiting the company’s response but stressed the need for the Mandaue City Government to construct a permanent drainage system in the area.

He noted that the community has no existing drainage infrastructure and had long relied on the swamp’s natural water flow, which has since been obstructed. The barangay captain acknowledged that flooding in Cabancalan has become increasingly severe in recent years.