Due to shear line
TACLOBAN CITY – Continuous heavy rains brought by the shear line across Eastern Visayas have led to widespread flooding and class suspensions in several provinces.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed the provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Northern Samar, and Leyte under a red alert category, warning of heavy rainfall that could trigger floods and landslides.
The region has been experiencing nonstop downpours since Sunday, February 9, prompting several local government units (LGUs) to suspend classes at all levels in both public and private schools.
Among the areas where classes have been suspended are Tacloban City, Leyte; Northern Samar (entire province); Leyte: Palo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Burauen, Abuyog; Biliran: Kawayan, Cabugcayan, Caibiran, Naval; Samar: Basey, Sta. Margarita, Daram, Pagsanghan, and the cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan and in Eastern Samar: Dolores, Can-avid, Jipapad.
In Mayorga, Leyte, the local disaster risk reduction and management office (LDRRMO) has conducted evacuations for families whose homes were half-submerged due to rising floodwaters. However, as of Monday morning, officials have yet to release the number of affected families and individuals.
Meanwhile, parts of northern Tacloban City, where families displaced by Super Typhoon ‘’Yolanda were relocated, also experienced flooding, with affected residents sharing their struggles online as water entered their homes.
In Sitio Soliman, Barangay Salvacion, Tacloban City a house made of light materials was destroyed due to flooding, but no injuries were reported, according to local radio reports.
Floodwaters have also risen in several other areas. Eastern Samar: Arteche, Can-avid, Balangkayan, Maslog, Jipapad; and in Northern Samar, San Roque, Mondragon, Catarman
As of Monday morning, LGUs in these affected areas have yet to report any mass evacuations.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that a road in Barangay Liberty, Mayorga, Leyte, is impassable to light vehicles due to flooding.
Also not passable to all types of vehicles is the Arteche-Jipapad- Las Navas – Rawis Road located in Jipapad.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard in Northern Samar and Biliran has suspended sea voyages in their respective areas to prevent maritime incidents amid rough seas caused by the bad weather.
JOEY A. GABIETA
