A devastating landslide, unleashed by continuous heavy rainfall, tragically engulfed a residence where individuals were engaged in Christian prayers in the southern Philippines.
The incident has claimed the lives of at least ten people, including five children, as confirmed by officials on Friday.
Additionally, two individuals sustained injuries, while the fate of one more villager remains uncertain following the landslide that occurred in a secluded mountain village within the gold-mining municipality of Monkayo, situated in the province of Davao de Oro.
Ednar Dayanghirang, the regional head of the government's Office of Civil Defense, provided this information.
The search for survivors and victims had to be temporarily halted mid-afternoon on Thursday due to the looming threat of another potential landslide.
It was revealed that those affected were in the midst of prayer inside the house when the landslide abruptly struck, underlining the heart-wrenching reality of the situation.
Authorities promptly issued evacuation orders to residents residing in the vicinity of the village, citing concerns about the heightened risk of additional landslides and mudslides due to intermittent heavy rainfall. Monkayo Mayor Manuel Zamora conveyed this cautionary measure.
In addition to this calamity, the region has been grappling with severe flooding in low-lying villages, resulting in the displacement of over 36,000 people across Davao de Oro and three other provinces.
These developments were confirmed by the Office of Civil Defense. Fortunately, some areas have started to witness improved weather conditions as the skies began to clear on Friday.
The recurring heavy rains are attributed to a meteorological phenomenon known locally as a "shear line," which marks the convergence of warm and cold air masses.
The Philippines experiences approximately 20 storms and typhoons annually, with a heightened occurrence during the rainy season that typically commences in June.
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