Floods hit Southern Leyte

TO THE RESCUE: Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection in Libagon, Southern Leyte assist in evacuating residents affected by flood spawned by the shear line and the northeast monsoon on Dec. 31. (Photo courtesy of  the Bureau of Fire ProteUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines — Nonstop rains spawned by the “amihan” (northeast monsoon) and shear line have triggered flooding and landslides starting New Year’s Eve until Sunday in Southern Leyte, which was still reeling from the massive devastation and floods caused by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) that hit the province on Dec. 16.

In Saint Bernard town, at least six people were evacuated on Sunday as their house was flooded due to the swelling of the nearby Kapanangan River. A minor landslide was also reported in the village of Lipanto, also in the same municipality.

Rescue

In Libagon town, a 53-year-old man was also rescued from his flooded house on Dec. 31. Flooding was also experienced in Barangay Pancil of Malitbog town, where a resident, in a video posted on social media on New Year’s Eve, appealed to officials for help.

The Department of Public Works and Highways said the Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod town was rendered impassable on Sunday due to the nonstop rain. The bridge links Southern Leyte to Leyte province.

But relief operations for typhoon victims were not affected by the prevailing bad weather, assured Rey Gozon, assistant regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, on Monday.

He said government assets like military trucks and seacraft from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Navy were utilized to ensure that assistance would reach the towns and villages affected by Odette.

—JOEY GABIETA