Continuous rains bring floods and landslides in Region VIII
03 January 2011
Situation Overview
Continuous heavy rains caused floods and landslides in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar. The tail-end of a cold front brought these heavy rains.
Southern Leyte
Three children have died in a landslide that occurred at around 3 p.m. in Brgy. Bolodbolod, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. The two were identified as Fatima and Rodel Discaryal, 5 and 2 years old, respectively. The other is a 3-year old identified as Jordan Lakipon. His body is found at around 9 a.m., Monday, buried in mud near their house (inquirer.net).
Other two children were confirmed dead in municipalities of Bontoc and Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte. The two were identified as “Patrick Pelaez, 11 years old, who drowned at a creek at Pancho Villa, Bontoc, Southern Leyte, and Ricabelle Montederamos, 11 years old who got drowned at Barangay Maanyag, Tomas Opus town” (PIA).
In a report from one of our ASCEND project staff based in St. Bernard, four barangays were evacuated to Sug-angon relocation site due to landslide.
Thousands also have evacuated in the low-lying villages of St. Beranard due to waist-deep flood. The town proper of St. Bernard is also flooded with knee-deep floodwaters. Also, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the whole municipality of St. Bernard is in total power black-out as of 11 p.m. yesterday. The municipality is declared under state of calamity on Sunday, 4 p.m. to provide immediate assistance to affected residents.
Meanwhile, one person is reported missing as one house is washed out in Bontoc town in Southern Leyte. According to the Office of Civil Defense-Regional Office VIII (OCD RO8), the house is totally washed out by strong current overflowing from the river in Brgy. Guinsaangan, Bontoc, Southern Leyte.
As of 8 a.m. today, the weather bureau reported the amount of rainfall in Maasin City, Southern Leyte is at 240.3 mm. Pagasa advises residents near mountain slopes and low-lying areas to take necessary actions for further floods and landslides. According to OCD-RO8, the general weather situation in Southern Leyte is cloudy.
Status of Evacuation Centers in Southern Leyte
| Affected Barangays | Affected Population | Evacuation/ Relocation Area |
| Tambis | 210 families or 910 individuals | New Guinsaugon Relocation Site |
| Maria Socorro | 18 families or 90 individuals | Municipal ABC Hall |
| 31 families or 129 individuals | Central School | |
| Ayahag | 10 families or 40 individual | barangay hall |
| San Isidro | Portion of San Isidro | municipal gym |
| Carnaga | Portion of Carnaga | relocated at the safer place at the brgy. |
| Panian | Portion of Brgy. Panyan | relocated at the safer place at the brgy. |
| Mahayahay | *figures not yet available |
Please note that five of the affected barangays mentioned above are covered of the Food Facility Project and the ASCEND Project.
Other Provinces
Some barangays in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Western Samar, and Northern Samar were also affected by floods and landslides. According to the report yesterday of Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the landslides and floods damaged several roads which are rendered impassable. Meanwhile, as of 11 p.m. yesterday, NDRRMC has no data regarding the affected population.
On the other hand, landslide and flooding were reported in Artemio Mate Ave. and Brgy.92 both in Tacloban City, respectively. As of press time, no casualty and damage to property were reported. Tacloban City Engineer Office has done a clearing operation.
Sources:
“2 kids die in Southern Leyte floods; state of calamity declared” Jan. 2, 2011. Inquirer.net. [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20110102-312146/2-kids-die-in-Southern-Leyte-floods-state-of-calamity-declared]
“3-year-old boy killed in Southern Leyte landslide” Jan. 3, 2011. Inquirer.net. [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20110103-312296/3-year-old-boy-killed-in-Southern-Leyte-landslide]
Office of Civil Defense Region VIII
Pagasa. General Flood Advisory # 7 for Region 8. January 3, 2011
NDRRMC Initial Report: Effects of Continuous Rains Due to Tail-End of a Cold Front in Region VIII. [http://www.ndcc.gov.ph/attachments/article/127/NDRRMC%20Update%20Initial%20Report%20of%20Flooding%20and%20Landslide%20in%20Region%20VIII,%2011PM,%2002Jan2011.pdf]
PIA. “Floods, landslide render roads in several areas in Samar unpassable” January 2, 2011. [http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=9707]
PIA. “PDRRMC confirms 5 children dead due to flooding, landslides in Southern Leyte” January 3, 2011. [http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=9801]