Local gov’t places Tacloban under state of calamity

Satellite image of “Urduja” from Pagasa website

(Updated 4:55 p.m., Dec. 15) Tacloban City has been placed under a state of calamity as tropical storm “Urduja,” with international name Kai-Tak, continued to pummel Eastern Visayas with ample rains and strong winds.

Tacloban’s Sangguniang Panglungsod signed Resolution No. 319 declaring a state of calamity over the city due to severe flooding and landslides caused by tropical storm “Urduja,” a staff of the city mayor’s office told INQUIRER.net over the phone.

The resolution was signed following a special session by local government leaders of Tacloban on Friday afternoon as the tropical storm caused severe flooding and damage to property.

Storm Signal No. 1 is currently raised over the Leyte province with “Urduja” bringing persistent rains over the Visayas.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected within the tropical storm’s 500-kilometer diameter, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Urduja’s location was last tracked 230 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Pagasa said, adding that it slowed down while moving northwest at 5 kilometers per hour. /jpv

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