GARCIA HERNANDEZ, Bohol, Philippines – At least P6 million worth of farm crops and government infrastructure were destroyed when flashfloods, triggered by days of heavy rains, wrecked havoc in this town a local government official said.

Town Mayor Miguelito Galendez said at least six barangays reported damages in agriculture and waterworks systems after Manaba River and smaller creeks in the town overflowed and flooded rice fields, farm lands, and residential areas and left the national highway impassable to light vehicles.

Galendez said the town’s planning and agriculture officers have appraised the damages to crops at P5 million and P1 million for public infrastructure, mostly waterworks systems. He added that some residents lost carabaos and water buffalo calves and other livestock which were believed to have been swept away by the floods.

According to the town mayor, affected barangays included Lungsod-daan, East Canaya-on, West Canayaaon, Candulao, Manaba, Malinao, Antipolo, Datag, Tabuan and Togbongon.

Palay fields ripe for harvest were washed out by the unusually huge volumes of water from the mountains, overwhelming creeks and flood control dikes, Galendez reported.

Meanwhile, Municipal Information Officer, Lindsey Marie Vismanos showed photographs of people treading in waters which flooded the national highway at Barangay West Canayaon. She said she also received reports that the floodwaters rose as high as neck-deep in some areas.

Mayor Galendez also reported that a barangay road leading to Togbongon from barangay Tabuan has become impassable due to a cut portion of the road caused by minor landslides.

Along the stretch of the national highway to eastern Bohol towns, reports, yet to be confirmed, of flooding were also reported in the towns of Dimiao and Guindulman towns.