NDRRMC warns of possible landslides in Leyte

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday warned of possible landslides in mountainous areas in Leyte following a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that happened on Thursday afternoon.

READ: 6.5-magnitude quake rocks Visayas

NDRRMC spokesperson Mina Marasigan said in a press briefing that the rainy weather is making the quake-hit province more prone to landslides.

“Yung mga ba-byahe pa-Leyte hanggang Southern Leyte to Ormoc, yung mga daan bagamat passable may naitala na bitak sa lupa…Sa Leyte nakakaranas ng pag-ulan, so maaaring combination sa lambot ng lupa at pagyanig,” she said.

(Those who will be heading to Leyte until Southern Leyte to Ormoc, although the roads are passable, there had been cracks recorded on the pavement… In Leyte, the province had been experiencing rains, so combining it with loose soil and shaking [brought about by aftershocks])

She advised residents to refrain from traveling to the affected areas in the province if it’s not really that important.

“Kung di mahalaga ang byahe manatili sa tahanan para makaiwas sa peligro (If traveling is not that necessary, better stay at home to keep away from danger),” Marasigan said.

A series of aftershocks continued to jolt Leyte on Friday morning, with close to 300 recorded as of 8 a.m.

The powerful earthquake has killed at least two people and injured 72 others.

READ: 2 dead in Leyte quake; Ormoc airport temporarily closed

Marasigan said that there is an ongoing assessment in Ormoc City, which was badly hit by the quake based on initial reports.

Volcanic activities and earthquakes are frequent in the Philippines as the country is located within the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” JPV/rga