TROPICAL storm Sendong (international codename Washi) slammed into the southern region of Mindanao Friday, leaving hundreds of people dead and missing.

Regional military spokesmen said 97 bodies were recovered in Cagayan de Oro and 75 were found in Iligan, accounting for most of the deaths.

They said 375 people were still missing from the two cities alone.

“Sendong” unleashed mammoth floods across vast areas, officials said Saturday.

They said 20,000 soldiers had been mobilized in a huge rescue and relief operation across the stricken north coast of the island of Mindanao, where the major ports of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were worst hit.

Iligan mayor Lawrence Cruz described rampaging floodwaters from swollen rivers that swamped up to a quarter of the land area of the city of 100,000.

“It’s the worst flood in the history of our city,” Cruz told GMA television. “It happened so fast, at a time when people were fast asleep.”

Marlyn Manos, an Iligan resident, recounted how she and her children watched in terror from their rooftop as flash floods demolished neighbors’ homes.

“All the small houses behind ours were destroyed, and many of my neighbors are missing,” she said.

The region’s military spokesmen said 97 bodies were recovered in Cagayan de Oro, with another 75 bodies found in Iligan.

In Iligan, another 250 people remained unaccounted for, they said, with 125 people missing in Cagayan de Oro, a city of half a million people.

Three people also drowned in the town of Polanco and five were killed in a landslide in mountains near the town of Monkayo, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in Manila.

Benito Ramos, the council’s executive director, suggested some residents had underestimated the threat posed by the approaching storm, in a region which is outside the country’s typhoon belt.

“Storms rarely hit this area and people probably became complacent even though they knew it was heading their way,” Ramos said.

Eric Carillo, an Iligan resident, told GMA the rains started pouring heavily late Friday but his family, who emerged alive from the floods, were not unduly alarmed and did not seek higher ground.

“I’ve been around for 47 years and this was the worst flooding I have ever experienced,” he added.

Iligan tourism officer Pat Noel told AFP waters began rising shortly before midnight (1600 GMT Friday) as people slept, sweeping houses made of light materials and their inhabitants along the riverbanks.

“Many of them told me they sought refuge on their rooftops,” he said after joining the first wave of rescuers at daybreak.

Col. Leopoldo Galon told reporters army troops using trucks, boats, and helicopters had rescued at least 2,000 residents of Cagayan de Oro.

Separately, Lt.Col. Randolph Cabangbang said 15 people who had been swept to sea off Iligan had been rescued.

Many of those killed either drowned or buried in landslides, he said.

Enie Alsonado, anchor of Radyo Mo Nationwide (RMN ) was among those killed. Reports said Alsonado tried to help his family flee their flooded house but drowned.

“More troops were sent to the area to help in the search and rescue operation,” he said.

He said many children are suffering from colds and people were on the roof of their houses waiting for soldiers to rescue them.

Landslides were reported in Compostela Valley province, blocking roads and halting road travel in many areas, although there were no reports of casualties, according Army Lieutenant Colonel Cesar Molina, commander of the 25th Infantry Battalion sent to help in rescue operations in the province.

A cargo vessel ran aground in the vicinity of Dumaguete City at the height of the storm but no one was injured.

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Lt. Commander Algier Ricafrente said the MV Ever Transport III was searching for a safe place to dock when it was battered by strong waves and winds. However, all 23 people on board were safe.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 5,040 passengers were stranded as of 8 a.m. Saturday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 20 more deaths in various parts of Mindanao where landslides and flash floods had been reported.

Thousands of families were affected by the storm which is expected to hit Palawan today.

President Benigno Aquino 3rd ordered government agencies to extend assistance to typhoon-hit areas.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that President Aquino has been receiving updates in areas in Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

“The President is aware of the situation already and he has been constantly updated by Secretary Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Secretary Robredo of DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government),” she said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

She said police and military forces have also been mobilized to help in the search and rescue of those reported missing persons.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos alerted residents in low lying and mountainous areas against possible flashfloods and landslides. He said those living in coastal areas should be vigilant against big waves or storm surges and mining operators and small scale miners were alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides and take necessary precautionary measures.

He said the storm intensified slightly as it headed towards the Sulu Sea.

With reports from AFP and Xinhua