TD Vicky claims 2 lives, destroys 76 houses in Lapu-Lapu City

People push a half-submerged tricycle through a flooded street due to heavy rains caused by tropical depression Vicky in San Francisco town, Agusan del sur province on the southern island of Mindanao on December 18, 2020. (Photo by Erwin Mascarinas / AFP)

TACLOBAN CITY — Landslides and heavy rain spawned by tropical depression “Vicky” killed two elderly women in Leyte and swept away at least 76 houses along the coasts of Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

Evelina Larano, 67, and Junilanda Milano, 62 were sleeping inside their homes in Cuatro de Agosto, Mahaplag town in Leyte when mud and large rocks cascaded down their village around 4 a.m. on Saturday.

Rescue teams retrieved the bodies of the victims from mounds of debris and rocks two hours later.

The area where the landslide happened was part of a national road which was rendered impassable.

In Lapu-Lapu City, at least 76 houses were washed out due to strong waves on Friday night.

According to Lapu-Lapu City’s disaster management office, some 291 individuals living at the shores of Barangay Ibo on Mactan Island were affected and were brought to the nearby Ibo Elementary School. No casualties were reported.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAG-ASA) station on Mactan Island said they were expecting Central Visayas’ weather to improve late afternoon or early evening on Saturday.

The Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas on Saturday morning allowed the resumption of sea travels in Cebu City after the PAG-ASA cleared the city of any storm warning signals.

PCG-7 earlier suspended all sea travels in preparation for the tropical depression which was expected to cause heavy rains and strong winds.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided food packs for the dinner and breakfast of stranded passengers.

JPV