Mindanao as seen from space.

Thanks to NASA for providing the latest satellite images of the Philippines, I was able to look into the damaged areas in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan caused by massive flooding, which was triggered by Tropical Storm Washi (known locally as Typhoon Sendong) on December 16, 2011. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images provided a wide look of the destruction as seen from space. Too bad the spatial resolution of MODIS is not as high as the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) — the one I used to analyze the spatial extent of the Tsunami effect on Japan. Anyhow, the NASA’s Aqua satellite images are good enough to come up with a change detection map.

The before-image was acquired on December 12th. The after-flooding image was taken on December 19, 2011. At first sight, it is obvious that the rivers that run both Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities have expanded in width with clear presence of brown sediments after the deadly flooding. It is also evident from the December 19 image that sediments have accumulated into the sea floor.

Taken on December 12th:

Cagayan de Oro before the December 2011 flood.

Taken on December 19th:

Cagayan de Oro after the December 2011 flood.

Most of the land surface changes happened near the shoreline, near rivers and on populated areas (I encircled those changes). These are the same locations where most deaths and injuries were reported.

Changes occured near shorelines.

What is also very clear from the images, which others may have not seen, are the browning of the mountain slopes (not posted here). What have our Philippine officials been doing to stop the deforestation in the area? Denuded forest would always lead to killer floods. With Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities situated on low-lying areas, without any doubt vulnerable to flooding, local officials must have known this beforehand. Or maybe not. Or maybe they do, but they just turned a blind eye on the issue. May this calamity awaken the minds of our public officials and, much more, agonize the conscience of those who are involved in illegal activities that have ravaged our forest!

We can never turn back time. We can never bring back to life the more than 1500 people (via Associated Press) who died in that horrific flash flood on December 16th. We can only hope that this will never happen again.

But now may not be the right time to blame. There are thousands of homeless survivors who need help. This is the moment that we Filipinos unite and share our love and care to those affected by the tragedy.

Have you already donated? Visit the Philippine Red Cross and share your blessings.

Note: I did not post the Iligan images here. Also, you can share this article and the link, but please ask my permission, through the comment section, if you intend to use the subset images and the map I made. Thanks.