By Edwin Fernandez

FLOOD RESCUE. Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao responders carry residents through waist-deep waters in Datu Anggal Midtimbang on May Tuesday night (May 20, 2025), after flash floods inundated 98 Maguindanao del Sur villages. The autonomous region reported 100 successful rescues despite severe flooding. (Photo courtesy of BARMM READi)

COTABATO CITY – Flash floods submerged 98 villages across Maguindanao del Sur Tuesday night, displacing 38,689 families (192,000 people), the region’s top official said.

Rescuers who waded through waist-deep waters evacuated 100 stranded residents in Datu Anggal Midtimbang town after the Brar River overflowed, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said.

“Some areas show only house roofs,” Macacua said in a statement, reporting no casualties in the autonomous region.

Separately in Koronadal City, floods claimed two lives – teacher Jessa Mae Huesca, 24, and delivery rider Christian Pederiso, 28 – who were swept away while crossing the Cacub River.

The intertropical convergence zone has brought torrential rains to Central Mindanao since Monday. (PNA)