OCD Reports Missing Persons, Flooding, Landslide due to LPA in Eastern Visayas

Tacloban City– A pump boat with three passengers in Southern Leyte remained missing while local authorities reported landslide and rising waters in Eastern Samar and southern part of Leyte Island triggered by a low pressure area, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported.

Angelo C. Bacho, OCD regional assistant operations officer said that a Limasawa-bound small sea vessel named CLOE left Padre Burgos port in Southern Leyte Monday afternoon. On board were Joey Senoc, his wife, and six-month-old baby.

“The pump boat was expected to arrive at the Limasawa port after three hours, but it is still missing until today,” Bacho said.

Padre Burgos town, 162 kilometers south from the regional capital, is the main gateway to Limasawa Island from the mainland of Southern Leyte.

Oras

In Oras, Eastern Samar, approximately 109 kilometers north from this city, several villages are under water due to heavy downpour since Monday, said Mayor Viviane Alavarez.

Flooded were the villages of Agsam, Naga, Trinidad, Bantayan, Iwayan, Minap-os, Alangalang, Cadian, Cagdine, Batang, Buntay, Rizal, Cagtoog, Capile, Gamot, and Balingasag.

About 1,800 families in low-lying areas have been affected by flooding.

There was also reported river flows in low-lying areas of Maslog and Jipapad towns in Eastern Samar. The widespread flooding in Eastern Samar is also triggered by high sea water level.

Bacho said clearing operation of landslide debris is ongoing in a portion of the national road in Kahupian village in Sogod, Southern Leyte; Barangays Villa and Liberation in Baybay City; and Barangay Uguis in Mahaplag, Leyte.

Flood water surge closed down traffic flow in a portion of the national road in Barangay Pililay, Lapaz, Leyte.

Guiuan

In Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Bacho said a Surigao-bound ship has been stranded for two days. The sea vessel went to Guiuan to carry trucks loaded with relief items for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.

The low pressure area that dumped heavy rains in six provinces of Eastern Visayas this week, was placed by the state weather bureau at 120 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. (PNA) LAP/PGL/SQM/EGR