Widespread flooding caused by continuous rain in Gandara, Samar prompted its local government to declare a state of calamity. | Photo from Gandara MSWD
MANILA, Philippines — The municipality of Gandara in the province of Samar declared a state of calamity on Wednesday, amid the continuous heavy rainfall caused by back-to-back low-pressure areas (LPAs) and the shear line.
According to a resolution by the municipal council of Gandara, the municipality is geographically located along a river, making it one of the many areas in Samar heavily affected by rain.
This resulted in multiple barangays (villages) in Gandara being submerged in flood and a considerable volume of crops damaged in the process.
“As the after-effects of the flood are still felt up to the present. There is an urgent need to declare a State of Calamity in Gandara to utilize appropriate funds in assisting all affected residents and relief assistance in every barangay,” the resolution read.
“Be it resolved, as resolved by the Sangguniang Bayan in a session duly assembled, to declare the entire municipality of Gandara, Samar in a state of calamity due to the cumulative effects of continuous heavy rainfall in the locality,” it added.
The said resolution was approved and signed by Gandara Mayor Warren Aguilar.
The state weather bureau earlier warned that several areas are at risk of flooding and landslides amid persistent rainy weather due to the joint effects of an existing LPA near Surigao del Sur and the shear line.
Due to this, continuous rain is forecast over the majority of Visayas and parts of Mindanao.