Days of heavy rainfall inundated several areas in Eastern Visayas.
Widespread flooding was experienced in the Municipalities of Jipapad, Arteché, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, and Can-avid in the Province of Eastern Samar due to nearly four days of torrential rain brought about by the shear line, the weather system affecting Southern Luzon and the Visayas regions.
Based on a bulletin released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (NDRRMO), the entire Eastern Samar was placed under Red Rainfall Alert.
Work and classes were suspended in the said areas on Monday, February 10, 2025.
According to Ivy Quilario Caspe, officer of Can-avid Municipal DRRMO, at least 15 barangays were flooded that affected close to 900 families.
In Jipapad, at least 13 barangays were flooded that affected 2,800 families, according to Mayor Benjamin Ver.
In Maslog, heavy rainfall started evening on February 9, 2025, and persisted in the morning of February 10, 2025.
Several areas in the Province of Northern Samar were also flooded.
Due to the widespread flooding, Governor Edwin Ongchuan issued the cancellation of classes in the entire province on February 10, 2025.
Further, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez suspended classes in both public and private schools on February 10, 2025.
Work was ordered cancelled by noontime so that residents can attend to their properties affected by the flooding.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 8 raised the Blue Alert status in Eastern Visayas.
According to OCD 8 spokesperson, Sher Saises, the flood reached a depth of one meter, or 3.28 feet.
As of this writing, data on the impact of the flood are still being collated.
No casualties were reported.
“Lagi po naming sinasabi tuwing may mga ganitong nai-experience na weather system na kung maari po ay makinig po tayo sa mga paalala ng local authorities, lalo na po kung kailangan natin ng preemptive evacuation,” Saises said.
Engr. Jhomer Eclarino, PAGASA Visayas weather specialist, disclosed that Tacloban City received 171.3 millimeters of rain beginning 8 a.m. on February 9, 2025. The said amount of rain dumped by the shear line is equivalent to approximately 856,500 drums of water per square kilometer.
Next on the list of areas in Eastern Visayas that received the highest amount of rainfall are Catbalogan City, Province of Samar at 129.9mm, Borongan City at 125.0mm, Baybay City in the Province of Leyte at 99.8 mm, and Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 60.7mm.
“Heavy rainfall warning kini ang more than 30mm amount of rainfall. So that is serious floodings or landslides is expected. So dapat pag red heavy rainfall warning ilabi na sa mga identified na mga highly vulnerable areas sa baha ug landslide, naka-evacuate or naa nag-action or evacuation na dapat,” Eclarino said.
(with Lou-Anne Mae Rondina and News Desk/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)
