Davao City Hit by Widespread Flooding After Heavy Rains, Scores Stranded

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 July 2026) — Heavy rains upstream caused widespread flooding in the Tugbok and Talomo districts of Davao City, leaving numerous residents stranded on higher ground, with some reportedly seeking refuge on rooftops. Emergency responders were inundated with calls for evacuation from several homes in Bangkal in the Talomo district, Riverside in Tugbok, and Purok Gulayan in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño. Talomo Teachers Village and San Juan Village were also affected. Critical water levels, described as "lampas tao" (above human height), were reported in NHA Bangkal Phase 3, Matutum St. Bangkal, and Teachers Village, Phase 2 in Talomo. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) issued a preemptive evacuation order around 9:30 p.m. for areas in Matina Pangi, Matina Crossing, and Matina Aplaya as water levels approached "Code Red" (critical level). CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran ordered all barangays along the Matina and Talomo Rivers to evacuate by 9:38 p.m. Water reportedly overflowed at the dike near Purok Gulayan in Catalunan Pequeno, with floodwaters reaching above human height. Around 24 homes were affected in Gulayan, impacting 30 families, with evacuees opting to stay with neighbors. By 10:30 p.m., water levels in the Tugbok area began to subside. Around 9 p.m., maritime units from the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard requested power to be cut in Teachers Village, San Agustin, Balabag, Ortega, and Sunnyville to ensure the safety of rescuers and trapped individuals. Maritime units conducting rescue operations in Taal 1 and 2 in Bangkal made similar requests. In Bangkal, scores of individuals were seen seeking assistance. At Teachers Village, at least 38 individuals were trapped in Phase 2, taking refuge on ledges on higher ground. One home housed 30 individuals, including 10 to 20 children, two seniors, and three persons with disability. In another building, eight individuals were trapped on the upper floor due to floodwaters inundating the lower levels. Journalist Margarita "Gingging" Valle posted on social media at 9:43 p.m. that floodwaters had reached "lampas ulo" (above head level) in her village in Talomo. She and her family sought refuge on the second floor of their house. Floodwaters in their area began to recede around 11 p.m., but by 11:20 p.m., she reported that the water was "lawom pa" (still deep). The City Engineer's Office dispatched dump trucks to assist trapped individuals. In Matina Aplaya, 15 individuals were reportedly trapped at Purok 12, near the San Ignacio Loyola Chapel. Fifteen individuals were also trapped near San Juan Village, close to Leon Garcia Elementary School. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued as early as 6:38 p.m. for residents along the Talomo River, upstream and downstream, as water levels exceeded critical thresholds. The Matina River was monitored at "Code Yellow" (alert level). By 9 p.m., barangay disaster response teams were ordered to conduct "rekorida" (roving teams) to warn residents along riverbanks, and a First Alarm was activated citywide. Residents near the Matina River were eventually ordered to evacuate preemptively by 9:45 p.m. as a second alarm was activated. By 11:45 p.m., the CDRRMO announced that water levels in all city river systems had subsided. By 11:50 p.m., floodwaters along the Talomo River and Barangay Tugbok Proper, upstream and downstream, were gradually subsiding, even as they had reached critical levels downstream. Portions of the Matina Biao, Matina Crossing, and Matina Pangi of the Matina River also subsided gradually by midnight. Information Source: MindaNews Philippines (GN)