Rain in Eastern Visayas triggers floods, landslides

Eastern Visayas map. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY — Non-stop rains in Eastern Visayas have caused floods and landslides in the different parts of Eastern Visayas on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

In Salcedo town, Eastern Samar, a landslide hit a resettlement area in Barangay Tagbacan and destroyed a structure that served as a guard house and stock room.

Linus Deguito, the information officer of the municipal government of Salcedo, said the landslide happened at around 4 a.m.

No one was hurt but more than 100 families were evacuated by the local government.

Deguito said several villages in the town have also been flooded due to the incessant rains spawned by a low pressure area.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the entire Eastern Visayas will be experiencing heavy rainfall that could result in flooding and landslides.

Several local governments across the region have suspended work and classes on Wednesday due to the continuous rains.

In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued an executive order, declaring the suspension of work.

Classes across the city were also suspended by school officials.

In Leyte, among the towns that suspended work and classes were Palo, Abuyog, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Babatngon, Tolosa, Tanauan, Barugo, and the city of Ormoc.

In Samar province, the municipalities of Basey and Paras likewise suspended work and classes.

In Biliran, classes and work were also suspended in Naval town due to the continuous rains.

The local governments of Catarman in Northern Samar and Silago in Southern Leyte directed their respective constituents living in areas prone to landslide and flooding to evacuate if the need arise.

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JPV