06/13/2026
🌊 Sarangani, Philippines: Flash Floods Slam Earthquake-Ravaged Communities as Thousands Face Double Disaster Following 7.8-Magnitude Quake
Flash floods have struck several areas of Sarangani Province, worsening conditions for communities still reeling from the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region days earlier. Continuous heavy rainfall caused rivers and waterways to rapidly overflow, sending floodwaters into residential areas, damaging infrastructure, and forcing additional evacuations across already vulnerable communities.
🚨 Among the hardest-hit areas are Upper Lumasal and Barangay Kiongok in Maasim, Barangay Malalag in Maitum, and multiple communities throughout Alabel, where rising water levels inundated homes, roads, and public facilities. Residents reported fast-moving floodwaters entering neighborhoods as emergency responders rushed to assist trapped families.
⚠️ The flooding has compounded an already severe humanitarian crisis. The powerful earthquake destroyed thousands of homes, damaged critical infrastructure, and triggered landslides across the province. Many families who survived the quake were already living in temporary shelters, roadside encampments, and open spaces due to fears of aftershocks and structural collapse when the floods struck.
🚑 Emergency teams and local disaster response units have been deployed to conduct rescue operations, evacuate stranded residents, and transport affected families to safer locations. Authorities continue to monitor flood-prone communities as rainfall persists across parts of the province.
🏛️ In response to the worsening situation, local governments have placed several hard-hit areas under a State of Calamity, allowing officials to immediately access emergency funds, accelerate relief operations, and mobilize additional resources for affected residents.
🤝 Relief efforts are ongoing with support from local authorities, humanitarian organizations, and the Philippine Red Cross. However, officials warn that urgent humanitarian needs continue to grow as thousands of displaced residents struggle with limited access to essential supplies.
📦 Families affected by both the earthquake and flooding urgently require:
💧 Safe drinking water
🍚 Ready-to-eat food and rice
🛏️ Blankets and bedding
👕 Clean clothing
🏠 Temporary shelter materials
⚡ With aftershocks continuing and floodwaters affecting already damaged communities, authorities remain on high alert as Sarangani faces the challenge of recovering from two major disasters within the same week.
