Sustained heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms for about two hours on Sunday caused flooding in the town center of Tubod, the capital of Lanao del Norte.
Local businessman Katsoot Buhisan told the Inquirer that floodwaters were already rising rapidly around 6:30 p.m. as he was closing his print shop.
Buhisan said concrete drainage canals overflowed, sending water spilling onto the highway.
The flooding led to a long line of stranded vehicles that were unable to cross the surging waters.
The situation worsened traffic conditions in the busy town center as rains continued to pour.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Abeliza Manzano said clogged drainage along the highway may have contributed to the flooding.
Manzano added that, as of early evening, there were no immediate reports of residents being evacuated.
By 8 p.m., the Tubod Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office raised a red alert in flood-prone villages due to the heavy rains.
Authorities monitored water levels as rainfall persisted across the area.
By 9 p.m., forced evacuation was ordered in the villages of Pigcarangan, Kakai Renabor, Bulod, and Poblacion.