‘Basyang’ unleashes floods, landslides in Southern Leyte
MAASIN CITY, Philippines–The province of Southern Leyte was declared under a state of calamity Saturday after a flash flood destroyed at least 20 houses in this city and landslides triggered by continuous heavy rain brought by Tropical Depression Basyang blocked a number of roads in the province, Governor Roger Mercado said.
A creek that runs through Maasin’s Basak community burst its bank with such force the rampaging waters washed away at least 20 houses in the area along with a parked Volkswagen.
The car was found later in the sea near the port of Maasin.
A number of roads, both national and provincial, were rendered impassable due to landslides on Panaon Island and several municipalities facing the Pacific Ocean, according to Alan Eway, assistant engineer of the Southern Leyte Engineering District Office.
Eway said at least eight landslides occurred in the villages of Sudmon in San Francisco, Amaga in Liloan, Punta, Mayuga and Maglasag villages in Libagon, Pancho villa in Sogod and Lungsod Daan in Padre Burgos and Sua village in San Juan town in the Pacific area, blocking traffic on a number of roads.
He said earth-moving equipment had been sent to the clear the roads.
According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the equivalent of one week’s amount of rainfall fell on the province in just a matter of a few hours.
According to Basak community leader Nick Lanugon, it was the first time in more 20 years that the Basak creek overflowed with such intensity.
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