Prepared by: Asmita Dahal, GRIT
Introduction
One of the persistent issues in the Philippines is flooding, mainly in urban areas, which are vulnerable to extreme weather events. On June 10, 2025, extreme rainfall took place that led to severe flooding in Barangay Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro. The flood submerged homes, stranded drivers, and caused massive disruption (GMA News Online, 2025). The causes, impacts, response efforts and long-term mitigation strategies related to the event are examined in this report.
Meteorological Conditions Leading to the Flooding
The heavy rainfall due to the southwest monsoon (Habagat) and a low-pressure area had triggered the flooding. This phenomenon intensified precipitation over Northern Mindanao (Manila Standard, 2025). The geographical location of the Philippines makes urban areas like Cagayan de Oro prone to flash floods. These areas frequently experience extreme weather. The heavy rainfall exceeded the capacity of the drainage system, which led to the rapid accumulation of water in low-lying areas (GMA News Online, 2025).
According to meteorological reports, rainfall had crossed 150 millimetres within a few hours. Due to this, drainage systems were overwhelmed, which caused water levels to rise rapidly (GMA News Online, 2025). Warnings about potential flooding were issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), but the volume of rainfall was beyond expectations (Manila Standard, 2025).
Environmental and Urban Factors Contributing to Flooding
Not only meteorological conditions, but several environmental and urban factors also contributed to the flooding:
Deforestation and Land Use Changes: The natural water absorption had decreased due to the reduction of forest cover in upstream areas. This contributed to the increase in runoff (Manila Standard, 2025).
Urban Expansion and Poor Drainage Infrastructure: Many impermeable surfaces were constructed because of rapid urbanisation, which prevented water infiltration and increased flood severity (GMA News Online, 2025).
Encroachment on Waterways: Informal settlements and unregulated construction have been made near rivers and drainage channels. These constructions have obstructed natural water flow, further deteriorating flood conditions (GMA News Online, 2025).
Siltation of Rivers and Drainage Systems: The capacity of rivers and drainage channels to carry excess water has been reduced due to the accumulation of sediment. Thus, it leads to overflow during heavy rainfall events (Manila Standard, 2025).
Impact on the Community
The floodwaters inundated houses, swept away vehicles, and disrupted transportation. The residents were left stranded (GMA News Online, 2025). Areas like Crossing Bolonsiri experienced severe flooding, and evacuations were urged instantly (Manila Standard, 2025). The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) responded swiftly by deploying employees to support flood victims (GMA News Online, 2025). However, the actual level of the damage is still being assessed.
The flooding also had economic consequences. The businesses were forced to close temporarily, and infrastructures were damaged (Manila Standard, 2025). Huge loss of personal belongings, like furniture and electronics, was reported by the residents due to water damage (GMA News Online, 2025). Similarly, the risk of waterborne diseases has increased. This has encouraged health officials to issue warnings about sanitation and hygiene (Manila Standard, 2025).
An increase in cases of leptospirosis and gastroenteritis was reported by local hospitals, as contaminated floodwaters made residents vulnerable to bacteria and pollutants (GMA News Online, 2025). Health officials urged residents to prevent infections by boiling drinking water and avoiding splashing through floodwaters (Manila Standard, 2025).
Government and Community Response
Evacuation efforts were initiated by the local authorities. They also provided humanitarian aid to evacuated residents (GMA News Online, 2025). The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed relief supplies like food and hygiene kits to affected prople (Manila Standard, 2025). Residents also engaged themselves in cleanup campaigns by removing mud and debris from their households (GMA News Online, 2025).
The significance of government intervention and community resilience during these times was emphasised by Mayor Rolando Uy. He stated that the efforts for assessing damages and providing further assistance are ongoing in the area (GMA News Online, 2025). The CDRRMD personnel assisted in clearing flood debris from public spaces. The covered court in Barangay Camaman-an, which was heavily affected, was also cleaned (Manila Standard, 2025).
Long-Term Mitigation Strategies
To prevent future flooding, several measures are suggested by the experts:
Improving Drainage Infrastructure: To accommodate increasing rainfall, drainage systems must be expanded and maintained (GMA News Online, 2025).
Reforestation Programs: Forest cover must be restored to improve absorption of natural water and reduction of runoff (Manila Standard, 2025).
Zoning Regulations: Stricter land-use policies must be made and implemented to prevent construction in areas vulnerable to flooding (GMA News Online, 2025).
Early Warning Systems: Meteorological forecasting and community preparedness programs must be enhanced to prevent the impact of extreme weather events (Manila Standard, 2025).
Community-Based Disaster Preparedness: Residents must be educated on flood response strategies and procedures of emergency evacuation (GMA News Online, 2025).
River Dredging and Silt Removal: Sediment buildup in rivers and drainage channels must be cleared to improve water flow and reduce risks associated with overflow (Manila Standard, 2025).
Conclusion
The massive flooding in Camaman-an highlights the urgent necessity for sustainable urban planning and disaster preparedness (GMA News Online, 2025). Immediate response efforts helped alleviate the crisis. However, long-term solutions are still necessary to protect communities exposed to recurring floods (Manila Standard, 2025). It is crucial to strengthen infrastructure, enforce environmental regulations, and foster community resilience to mitigate future flood risks (GMA News Online, 2025).
References
- GMA News Online. (2025). Massive flooding hits Cagayan de Oro. Retrieved from GMA News Online.
- Manila Standard. (2025). Bad weather claims 3 lives in Northern Mindanao. Retrieved from Manila Standard.