Image of the Philippine Flag (Photo by Krisia on Pexels).


January 19, 2024

In Davao, Philippines, a tragic incident unfolded as a landslide, triggered by incessant heavy rain over several days, engulfed a house where individuals had gathered for Christian prayers. The calamity claimed the lives of at least seven people, including children, and left two individuals in critical condition, according to a statement from a disaster-response official.

The landslide struck in a remote mountain village situated in the gold-mining town of Monkayo, within the Davao de Oro province. Ednar Dayanghirang, the regional chief of the government's Office of Civil Defence, reported on Thursday night that between five and ten people remained missing in the aftermath of the disaster. Regrettably, rescue efforts had to be temporarily halted on Thursday afternoon due to the persistent heavy rains, posing an imminent risk of additional landslides. However, search and rescue operations recommenced on Friday in a bid to locate any remaining survivors.

Dayanghirang shared a poignant detail about the incident, mentioning that the victims were engaged in prayer inside the house when the landslide struck. He emphasized the sorrowful reality of the situation on the ground.

Beyond the landslide, the days of unrelenting heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding in low-lying villages, displacing over 6,000 people across two other provinces. The adverse weather conditions stemmed from a meteorological phenomenon known locally as a shear line, representing the convergence of warm and cold air masses. This meteorological activity is not uncommon in the Philippines, with the archipelago experiencing approximately 20 storms and typhoons annually, particularly during the rainy season that commences in June.

The Philippines has a history of grappling with devastating natural disasters. Notably, in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms on record, claimed over 7,300 lives and caused extensive destruction. Entire villages were flattened, ships were swept inland, and more than 5 million people were displaced in the central part of the country.

In summary, a tragic landslide in Davao, Philippines, resulting from continuous heavy rainfall, claimed the lives of at least seven individuals, including children, with several others still missing. Rescue efforts were temporarily hampered by ongoing rains, but operations resumed in the hopes of finding survivors. The incident occurred against the backdrop of widespread flooding in other provinces, underscoring the vulnerability of the region to adverse weather conditions. 

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Airstrike On Gaza School Kills 27, Says Health Officials

At least 27 people died after an airstrike hit a school in Gaza City. The building, Dar al-Arqam school, was....

Survivors Found Days After Myanmar’s Deadly Earthquake

Two men have been rescued from the rubble in Myanmar, more than five days after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake....

South Korea's President Yoon Removed Over Martial Law Move

South Korea’s top court removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday. The decision came four months after he....

India Passes Controversial Bill Changing Muslim Endowment Rules Amid Opposition

India’s parliament passed a bill on Thursday that changes the rules for managing Muslim charitable endowments known as waqfs. Prime....

Gaza hit by deadly strikes as Israel pushes new military route

Israel's prime minister announced an expansion of military operations in Gaza, aiming to put more pressure on Hamas. Deadly airstrikes....

Deadly Storms And Tornadoes Threaten Millions Across The U.S.

Strong, warm winds blowing at 50 mph swept into southwestern Tennessee on Wednesday, knocking out power for thousands. This was....

Putin Orders 160,000 New Troops As Ukraine War Intensifies

Russia is launching one of its biggest military recruitment drives in years. President Vladimir Putin has signed an order to....

Trump Places Tariffs On Remote Islands Near Antarctica

A group of isolated volcanic islands near Antarctica, covered in ice and home only to penguins, is now caught in....

Israel Expands Gaza Operation To Seize Large Areas, Orders Mass Evacuations

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Wednesday a major expansion of the military operation in Gaza. The plan includes....

Palestinian Man Tortured To Death After Criticizing Hamas, Family Says

A 22-year-old Palestinian man, Uday Rabie, was tortured and killed after publicly criticizing Hamas and joining protests against the group....

Iceland Volcano Erupts, Forcing Evacuations Near Grindavik

A powerful volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland has forced residents and tourists to evacuate. The volcano erupted early in the....

U.S. Seeks Death Penalty For Luigi Mangione In CEO’s Murder

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has ordered federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione. He is accused....