Tino batters Leyte; many areas have no power, water

The strong winds and heavy rains brought by Typhoon Tino toppled trees and caused flooding in parts Leyte that now have no power.

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s Nikko Sereno in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the MDRMMC Evacuation Center in Abuyog was immediately filled with residents early in the day as the effects of Tino were already felt on Monday evening. 

The winds also toppled down electric posts causing blockage on the road because of the wires. 

“Hindi basta makakalusot dahil sa kawad ng kuryente maraming poste po ang matumba….pinipilit nating makalusot at iniiwasan nating magputol ng kable ng kuryente para mapadali ang rehabilitation,” said MDRRM Abuyog head Erik Barcelo. 

(It’s not easy to pass through because of the power lines—many posts have fallen... we are trying hard to get through and we are avoiding cutting the electric cables so that the rehabilitation can be expedited.) 

Authorities in other barangays also expressed concern about possible flooding. 

“So far pinaka kinakatakutan namin is yung tubig yung tubig. Kanina medyo umaksyon ng akyat ang tubig galing dagat. Sa Loyonsawang, sa may Merkado, nagkatubig din pero hindi umabot sa barangay hall,” said Barangay Loyonsawang, Abuyog captain Edmund Saño, noting that the arrival of the typhoon coincided with the high tide. 

(So far, what we fear the most is the water. Earlier, the water coming from the sea somewhat started to rise aggressively. In Loyonsawang, near Merkado, there was water too, but it didn't reach the barangay hall.) 

The Philippine National Police also deployed personnel to conduct road clearing operations. 

“Once the evacuees return home, we must now focus on the supply for relief operations and roads must be passable,” the Abuyog Police chief said. 

Meanwhile, some residents are already repairing their damaged homes. 

“We already fixed our home to avoid leakages,” said Cristete Jordan. 

In San Vicente Poblacion, Mahaplag, the layers of mud left behind by the flood pose a problem to residents after the river beside the town overflowed. 

But for many, the bigger problem is the lack of water to clean the mud and debris. 

Some residents found ways to dry their soaked belongings. One resident found a way to dry her newly harvested rice, which got wet when their house were flooded by laying the grains under the sun. 

Other residents of Mahaplag sought shelter from the floods in a nearby chapel.

Authorities are now trying to restore power to several communities. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News