TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has been experiencing massive and heavy rains since Sunday, Dec. 22, resulting in flooding, landslides, and the suspension of work in various areas.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) issued an advisory on Monday, Dec.23, urging local disaster councils to implement proactive measures and preparedness actions in response to the shear line and the threat of Tropical Depression “Romina.”
“Preemptive evacuation is highly encouraged, especially in high-risk areas,” the RDRRMC advised.
In Jipapad, Eastern Samar, 16 families comprising 55 individuals were evacuated to higher ground after floodwaters rose to more than 54 feet, according to Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Victorian Abestros.
“All 13 barangays in the town have been inundated by nonstop rains, and power supply has been out since Sunday at around 7 p.m. Communication lines have also been disrupted,” Abestros reported.
Other towns in Eastern Samar, including Dolores, Can-avid, Arteche, Balangkayan, Taft, and Borongan City, the provincial capital, also reported flooding.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda suspended work and classes in response to the heavy rains caused by the shearline and Tropical Depression “Romina.” One of the city’s major waterways, the Look River, has swollen significantly.
In Northern Samar, Governor Edwin Ongchuan also suspended work on Monday as several towns in the province were affected by flooding.
Rei Josiah Echano, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, reported that all 24 towns in Northern Samar experienced flooding, with the most affected areas being San Roque, Catubig, Mondragon, Palapag, Laoang, Rosario, Las Navas, and Catarman.
In Catarman, the provincial capital, a landslide was reported in Barangay Gulalan-agan, though no injuries were recorded. Classes and work were also suspended due to the weather conditions.
In Samar, flooding incidents were reported in the towns of San Jose de Buan, San Sebastian, Paranas, and Matuguinao. The road in Barangay Buray in Paranas, leading to Borongan City in Eastern Samar, was rendered impassable due to flooding.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines reported that sea and air travel have not been suspended.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
