GLAN, Sarangani — A series of massive "landslide dams" formed in the rugged mountain ranges of Glan, Sarangani, following the catastrophic magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, 2026.

These artificial obstructions, created by colossal volumes of earth choking local waterways, have triggered widespread emergency operations as rains threaten to burst the natural blockages. Already, one dam failure has unleashed destructive floodwaters on downstream communities.

The extreme danger posed by these geological formations was realized on Saturday, July 11, when one of the newly formed upland dams partially collapsed. Torrential monsoon rains overfilled the artificial basin, triggering a destructive torrent of mud and water that swept down the mountain directly into Barangay Mudan. This sudden deluge severely affected over 400 families and completely washed away numerous homes in its path.

An aerial survey conducted by the local government of Sarangani confirmed the presence of four primary landslide dams in the mountain slopes of Glan.

Geologists from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned that because the June 8 main shock left mountain slopes highly unstable, heavy rainfall is rapidly transitioning the situation from earthquake-induced hazards into highly dangerous rain-induced landslides and debris flows.

Sarangani provincial authorities, led by Vice Mayor James Victor Yap, Jr., are actively evaluating emergency intervention strategies to safely drain the impounded water before another catastrophic breach occurs.

"For the dam located in the upper, hard-to-reach areas, one of our primary options is to airlift heavy-duty hoses and pumping equipment via helicopter to manually drain the water," Vice Mayor Yap explained.

While controlled blasting is being considered as a last resort, authorities are highly cautious. A premature blast could trigger further landslides that might completely bury the channel, worsening the blockage rather than clearing it.

With unstable weather conditions continuing across Mindanao, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-12) has taken decisive action.

The Office of Civil Defense has recommended a strict, supervised preemptive evacuation for all families residing near riverbanks in Barangay Mudan and surrounding low-lying areas. Disaster teams are actively patrolling on the ground to ensure vulnerable residents are relocated to safer, high-ground shelters before the next heavy rainfall.