Disaster authorities report 5 people have died and 1 is missing after flooding and storms in southern regions of the Philippines.

A Low-Pressure Area (LPA) brought heavy rainfall to Davao and Soccsksargen Regions from 09 April 2023.

In the Davao Region, flooding and storms occurred in Davao City, Digos City, Magsaysay and Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur Province. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) reported 5 people died from lightning strikes in Digos City. Eight homes were destroyed and 2 were damaged. In total 1,538 people from 318 households were affected. Almost 350 people were displaced and moved to evacuation centres.

NDRMMC also reported flooding in Arakan in Cotabato Province, Soccsksargen Region on 09 April. A young person was missing after being swept away by floodwater. Around 20 households were affected.

Flooding had affected parts of Cotabato Province in the previous days. On 05 April flooding in Pikit affected around 8,385 people, according to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet).

ADINet also reported flooding in Lanao del Sur and Basilan in the Bangsamoro (BARMM) Region displaced 17,655 people on 02 April.

Low-Pressure Area (LPA) eventually developed into Tropical Depression Amang which made landfall at Lagonoy, Camarines Sur on 12 April 2023. Although Amang has since weakened, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned of some heavy rain and rough seas over the coming 24 hours at least.

Track of Tropical Depression Featured image: File photo for illustration. Flood rescue Leyte Philippines in October 2022. Credit: Philippine Coast Guard