Tropical Storm Queenie brings heavy rainfall to South Cotabato upland town

LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato — Tropical Storm Queenie triggered significant rainfall over this South Cotabato lake town on Thursday afternoon as the weather system extended its influence across Mindanao following its entry into Philippine territory.

The downpour that swept through Lake Sebu represented some of the strongest precipitation the area has experienced in recent weeks, as the trough associated with Tropical Storm Queenie affected multiple locations throughout the island.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had been monitoring the tropical storm's movement and its potential impacts on communities in its path. Residents in upland areas such as Lake Sebu are particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall due to the terrain's susceptibility to flooding and landslides.

Like Sebu, located approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, is among the higher elevation towns in South Cotabato and typically experiences cooler temperatures but can face challenging weather conditions when tropical systems move through the region.