Tropical Storm Basyang Unleashes Havoc Across Northern Mindanao and Cebu
Published on: February 6, 2026, 12:56 pm
Tropical Storm Basyang has carved a destructive path through Northern Mindanao and Cebu, resulting in at least five fatalities and displacing thousands of residents as of Friday, February 6, 2026. Disaster management officials are grappling with widespread power outages and severe flooding as the storm continues its relentless advance across the region.
Heartbreaking Losses in Northern Mindanao Communities
The storm inflicted profound tragedy on families in Cagayan de Oro City, where a devastating landslide in Barangay Agusan claimed the lives of four members of a single household. The victims included a married couple, a 13-year-old adolescent, and an 11-month-old infant. Two additional individuals sustained injuries in this same catastrophic event.
In Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, the community is mourning the loss of Creselyn Baterna Velasco, a respected radio broadcaster. She tragically succumbed to cardiac arrest after floodwaters inundated her apartment. The flooding was triggered by the Tubod River overflowing on Thursday night, which forced nearly 4,700 people from their homes across 21 barangays. Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao emphasized that while evacuation warnings were issued days in advance, some residents had declined to leave their properties.
Massive Displacements and Widespread Power Interruptions
According to Junnie Castillo, spokesperson for the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), multiple provinces are currently experiencing electricity blackouts. The number of individuals compelled to flee their homes is escalating rapidly, with significant figures reported in key areas:
- Misamis Oriental: 32,750 people displaced
- Camiguin Province: 2,129 people displaced
Travel Disruptions and Evacuation Efforts in Cebu
The storm also struck Cebu with considerable force, stranding over 350 passengers at various ports. The most affected locations were Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City and Liloan Port, where travel chaos ensued.
Throughout Cebu Province, 58 evacuation centers have been activated, providing shelter to hundreds of residents from municipalities such as Tuburan, Barili, and Samboan. In Cebu City, Councilor Dave Tumulak reported that while some inhabitants from mountain barangays were evacuated from flood-prone zones, many have already started returning home as weather conditions showed signs of stabilization.
Landslides and Road Closures Pose Additional Threats
The torrential rainfall has precipitated dangerous landslides in several localities, exacerbating the emergency situation:
- Balamban: Soil and debris obstructed roads in Barangay Prenza on Friday morning.
- Toledo City: A landslide occurred near the Barangay Hall of Capt. Claudio, prompting officials to urge residents to remain vigilant.
Emergency Response Teams on Heightened Alert
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has canceled all leaves for police personnel and elevated its status to heightened alert. Brigadier General Redrico Maranan confirmed that rescue equipment and search teams are on standby, with a particular focus on assisting the more severely impacted southern sectors of Cebu.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) cautions that heavy precipitation is expected to persist until Saturday afternoon, February 7, prolonging the challenges for recovery and relief operations.
