Girl drowns trying to save dog

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte—A nine-year-old-girl died after being swept away by floodwaters while trying to save her dog in the Southern Leyte town of St. Bernard town, a municipal information officer said Tuesday.

Jane Araneta of the St. Bernard municipal disaster and risk reduction management council identified the victim in a belated report as Alma Lasala.

Araneta said the girl drowned after she was swept away by onrushing floodwaters in Barangay (village) Cabagawan while trying to save her dog last Saturday. The report did not say what happened to the pet.

Araneta also disclosed that 19 families or 65 individuals were evacuated in Atuyan, Cabacawan, San Isidro and Tambis I villages due to the flooding.

There were also evacuees in flood- and landslide-prone areas in Lipanto, Hindag-an, Bolodbolod, Mahayag and Mahayahay, all villages in the muncipality of St. Bernard.

Meanwhile, three villages in the town of Sogod where isolated by a landslide early Tuesday morning, rendering another segment of Daang Maharlika impassable, according to engineer Alan Eway, assistant district engineer of Department of Public Works and Highways.

The isolated villages were Pancho Villa, Olisihan and Kahupian, Eway said.

A landslide also occurred in Kahupian on Sunday, cutting off direct access to Tacloban City although the villages could still be reached from Sogod proper. However, the area became isolated due to Tuesday morning’s landslide.

The landslides have been occurring due to prolonged heavy rains brought about a low pressure area.

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