Cebu City flooding submerges roads, strands commuters, prompts rescues

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Floodwaters submerged major roads, stranded commuters, and forced emergency rescues across Cebu City shortly after noon on Thursday, July 30, after nearly four hours of heavy rain.

Emergency reports showed flooding in at least 16 areas across Cebu City.

Authorities deployed rescue teams, monitored rivers, and provided free bus rides for affected residents.

The flooding affected communities from Cebu City’s northern and southern districts, triggered evacuation requests in Barangay Guadalupe, trapped residents inside a flooded subdivision in Barangay Tisa, disrupted traffic along several major thoroughfares, and prompted continuous monitoring of rivers and creeks as intermittent rains persisted into the evening.

READ: WATCH: Flooding in several areas in Cebu on July 30

The widespread flooding highlighted the city’s vulnerability to intense rainfall, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone communities, while emergency responders raced to rescue stranded residents and local officials worked to restore mobility and ensure public safety.

**La Paloma severely affected **

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) reported flooding ranging from below knee-deep to chest-deep in several areas, with some communities recording water levels that reached the first and even second floors of houses.

One of the most critical rescue operations unfolded in La Paloma Village in Barangay Tisa, where floodwaters reportedly rose to about three meters and trapped residents inside the subdivision.

According to the CCDRRMO’s Special Rescue Squad (SRS), rescuers received a distress call at 3:40 p.m. Thursday and arrived at the scene 20 minutes later.

The team coordinated with the Tisa Fire Brigade, which reported that floodwaters had climbed to approximately three meters.

Rescuers encountered strong currents and debris, including logs, tables, chairs, corrugated roofing sheets, and electric bicycles, as they made their way to the most heavily flooded portion of the subdivision.

The SRS, together with personnel from the Tisa Fire Brigade, Barangay Quick Response Team Habagat, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), rescued three stranded residents: a 74-year-old man, a 63-year-old man, and a 23-year-old woman.

The CCDRRMO reported no fatalities or injuries in the incident.

As of Thursday evening, authorities had yet to complete their assessment of the number of affected families, damaged houses, and infrastructure in La Paloma Village.

As high as basketball ring

Another badly affected community was Sitio Dakit in Barangay Guadalupe, where residents sought immediate evacuation after floodwaters reportedly rose to the height of a basketball ring.

Emergency responders reported that vehicles could no longer access the area.

In Barangay Tisa, flooding in Tambisan reportedly reached the second floor of a structure, while in Sitio Sacred Heart in Barangay Labangon, floodwaters entered the ground floors of homes.

Other flooded areas included Villa Paloma Subdivision, Bonifacio Street, Katipunan Street in Labangon, Sabellano Street in Punta, M.J. Cuenco Street in Tinago, Zapatera Elementary School, and portions of N. Bacalso Avenue in Kinasang-an, Tagunol, and Basak Pardo.

Floodwaters also reached waist level in front of Elizabeth Mall (Emall), while portions of the Ayala Access Road remained passable despite flooding.

Roads submerged by floodwaters

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) reported flooding along several major roads during Thursday’s afternoon rush hour, slowing traffic and prompting motorists to use alternate routes.

Affected roads included Legaspi Street corner V. Gullas Street, M.J. Cuenco Avenue corner T. Padilla Street, Colon Street, P. del Rosario Street corner Jakosalem Street, Kinasang-an, Bayanihan, Xiamen Street and Kaoshiung Street near SM City Cebu, N. Bacalso Avenue near Emall, and P. Lopez Street corner Magallanes Street.

Aside from flooding, the CCDRRMO also monitored a landslide in Miramonte, Barangay Pit-os, where debris partially blocked one lane of the road.

Authorities also monitored water levels in nine rivers and creeks across the city, including Mahiga, Parian, Kinalumsan, Tagunol, Guadalupe, Bulacao, Tejero-Tinago, Lahug, and Butuanon.

Among the monitored waterways, Tagunol River registered the highest water level at about four meters. Mahiga River reached approximately 2.5 meters, while Tejero-Tinago measured around two meters. Bulacao River remained below 1.5 meters.

Cebu City deploys free buses

As floodwaters stranded commuters in several parts of the city, the Cebu City Government deployed free buses.

The buses served routes covering Bulacao, Guadalupe, Talamban, and Lahug, with Cebu City Hall serving as the central terminal.

Mayor Nestor Archival urged residents to remain cautious, avoid flooded areas whenever possible, monitor official advisories issued by the city government, and use the free bus service when needed.

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