RESCUERS recover the body of an 84-year-old woman swept away during a flash flood in Catmon town, Cebu province on Monday, June 17. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – An 84-year-old woman was found dead several hours after she was swept away by a rampaging flash flood in Barangay Ginabucan, Catmon town, northern Cebu province.
The body of Gregoria Podot was found on Monday night, June 16.
Investigation showed that the woman tended to her vegetable plants near a river around 1 p.m. A flash flood occurred, causing the river to swell.
The strong current carried the woman away.
Police said a resident saw the woman being swept away and immediately called for help.
A search and rescue operation conducted. Due to poor visibility and slippery terrain caused by heavy rains, the search was temporarily halted.
The search resumed when the weather cleared.
Rescuers found the woman’s body stuck in tree branches on the side of a river, police said.