Heavy rains trigger landslides, flooding in Catanduanes
LEGAZPI CITY — Continuous heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Ada caused landslides and flooding in Catanduanes province on Sunday, Jan. 18.
In Viga town, authorities cleared debris from a landslide along the Viga–San Miguel boundary on Sunday morning, but motorists were still warned to take precautions.
A portion of the road in Barangay San Miguel in Panganiban town was also covered with debris from a landslide on Saturday, but local officials said the area remained passable.
A mudslide likewise affected motorists and residents in Barangay Moning in Baras town.
Heavy rains caused rivers to overflow and damaged spillways, triggering flooding in the towns of San Andres, San Miguel, Virac, Pandan, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Baras and other areas.
On Saturday night, Gov. Patrick Azanza ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents living in landslide-prone areas, low-lying communities and coastal areas.
Local governments evacuated more than 7,000 individuals from 48 villages affected by flooding and landslides.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) spotted Ada 135 kilometers east-northeast of Virac town in Catanduanes, packing sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 90 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was hoisted over Catanduanes and the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan).
TCWS No. 1 was raised over Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and the northern and central portions of Masbate (Uson, Mobo, Masbate City, Baleno, Aroroy, Mandaon, Milagros, and Balud), including Ticao and Burias Islands. /apl
