Heavy rains trigger floods, evacuation in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY –– Tropical Depression “Auring” brought heavy rains over the Bicol region since Sunday night, causing landslides and flooding and forcing 33 persons to evacuate.

Gremil Alexis Naz, spokesperson of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol, said at least eight families were evacuated due to the floods in barangays Guruyan, Bacolod, and Biriran in Juban town in Sorsogon.

In Casiguran town in Sorsogon, the swollen Mauhang River and creek flooded barangays Sta. Cruz, Lungib, and Rizal.

Roads were also left impassable in Barangay Dancalan in Bulusan town due to the overflowing river.

A minor landslide was also reported in Barangay Tula-tula in Magallanes town due to heavy rains.

Roberto Monterola, disaster risk reduction management officer of Catanduanes, said a bridge in Barangay Cabuyuan in Panganiban town was impassable due to a swollen river.

As of 4 p.m., 102 passengers were stranded in Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes ports, the Philippine Coast Guard Bicol said in a report.

At least 24 trucks, 15 fishing vessels, and a motorboat were also stranded.

LZB