‘Basyang’ leaves 4 dead in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY–Four persons, including a two-year-old boy, were killed as floods hit several areas in Leyte, Samar and Eastern Samar following heavy rains spawned by Tropical Depression “Basyang.”

Christian Jake Tumandao, 2, was killed after their house located near a hill was hit by rocks and uprooted trees that cascaded from the nearby mountain in Barangay San Pedro, Albuera town, Leyte, on Feb.13.

The boy’s mother, Jenessa and his two siblings, Rex and Kim, were unhurt after they were able to get out of the house in time.

Bodies of three adult males were found along the coast of Barangay Cabong in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Wednesday morning.

The three, who were believed to have drowned, remained unidentified.

Heavy rains triggered floods in parts of the towns of Capoocan, Alangalang, and Babatngon, as well as Tacloban City in Leyte, said Arvin Monge, provincial disaster risk reduction management officer.

Floods were also reported in the towns of Tarangnan, Talalora, Jiabong, and Calbiga in Samar province, which forced a number of residents to evacuate, said provincial disaster risk reduction management officer Manuel Van Torrevillas.

Flooding and landslide incidents were also reported to have hit several towns in Eastern Samar.

Landslides were reported in Barangays Canciledes, San Jose, and San Miguel, all in Hernani town; and in the villages of Soong, Tabok, both in Llorente.

Flooding incidents were also reported in the towns of Quinapondan, MacArthur, and Taft, said George Erroba, provincial administrator of Eastern Samar.