Continuous rains for at least two days have caused flooding in 12 barangays in Eastern Visayas, as of Sunday, November 19, 2023.

Based on initial report from the Office of the Civil Defense in Eastern Visayas, the 12 barangays are located in the towns of Catarman, Babatngon, and Lope de Vega in Northern Samar and in Jipapad town in Eastern Samar.

Three minor landslides were also reported in Northern Samar.

Seven families and 28 individuals had moved to evacuation centers.

According to Vicky Abestros, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer of Jipapad, floodwaters have prevented motorists from traveling to the neighboring town of Arteche, at least as of November 19.

Meanwhile, with rains brought about by a Low Pressure Area and shear line, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 8 is coordinating closely with local government units in Western Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.

As of this writing, OCD-8 is verifying reports that persistent rains have damaged at least six houses in Bontoc, Leyte.

"So far, ngayon kasi, continuous naman po yung rainfall natin so most likely hindi pa po talaga ito magsu-subside as of now pero mino-monitor po ito since yesterday po na ankle-deep pa lang, tsaka two feet yung ating floodwaters. Mino-monitor natin baka kasi po tumaas kasi yung water level, most likely, magpa-preemptive evacuation itong mga LGUs,” says Sher Saises, information officer ng OCD-8.