CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Continuous torrential rains brought by typhoon “Urduja” on Tuesday flooded several areas in Northern Mindanao.

Local officials said hardest hit was Misamis Oriental – from the western to the eastern part, where several villages were submerged by knee-deep floodwaters, as well as other portions of the national highway, which remained impassable up to Wednesday.

Landslides were also reported in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

Provincial government officials led by Vice Gov. Norris Babiera have visited the areas to assess the situation.

Provincial Board Member Peter Unabia said concerned authorities have already started distributing relief goods especially to the affected residents of the province.

The goods consisted mostly of food items.

In this city, several villages were also flooded, and several roads were impassable due to floodwaters.

The heavy downpour also elevated the waters of Cagayan River, inundating the river islands where several people live.

Three have been reported killed due to the calamity – two in Misamis Oriental and a patient in an ambulance.

Residents of the river islands have evacuated to higher grounds as their houses remain under water and the river’s rampaging waters have not subsided.

Some subdivisions were also flooded as well as low portions of the national highway traversing the city from the east to the west section.

Along the Lapasan Highway, an ambulance from Bukidnon ferrying a child to a hospital in this city, got stuck in the floodwaters causing the child patient to die.

The city officials led by Mayor Constantino Jaraula and Vice Mayor Vicente Emano are leading rescue and relief efforts in the calamity-hit areas.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under Regional Director Jerome dela Rosa has sent heavy equipment to the flooded areas for clearing operations.

Meanwhile the police have fielded personnel in several areas to help in rescue and security operations.