Northern Samar under state of calamity amid floods

Northern Samar has been placed under a state of calamity following floods from rains due to the shear line, according to the province's Governor Edwin Ongchuan in a social media post.

Onchuan said the declaration was recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) due to the damage to infrastructure and crops caused by the deep floods.

With this, classes at all levels in both public and private schools are suspended on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. 

Work in both public (except disaster, health, public safety related) and private (except banking, financial, health and food supply institutions) are also suspended. 

 “These measures prioritize the safety of residents and aim to address the current situation effectively. Please stay updated with local authorities and take necessary precautions. Stay safe," the governor said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the PDRRMO reported about 24,000 Northern Samar families who were forced to evacuate due to massive flooding. 

 Residents felt the extreme impact of the weather. In Catarman, Northern Samar, over 95% of barangays were flooded.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News