TYPHOON'S IMPACT. Residents check a damaged road linking San Roque and Catarman towns in Northern Samar after Typhoon Tisoy crossed the province this week. The towns of Catarman and Gamay in Northern Samar were placed under state of calamity on Wednesday (Dec. 4, 2019). (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Red Cross)
TACLOBAN CITY -- Two towns in Northern Samar are under state of calamity after Typhoon Tisoy left a trail of destruction in several communities there.
On Wednesday, the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) in the towns of Catarman and Gamay approved the declaration of state of calamity to facilitate the delivery of assistance to affected residents.
Widespread flooding, landslide, damaged houses and infrastructure, power outages, fuel shortage, and weak communication signal have prompted the Catarman local government to issue the declaration.
“The priority needs of affected individuals are medicine, food, drinking water, clothing, hygiene kits, and psychological interventions,” the local government said in its declaration.
About 19,555 residents have been affected by the typhoon’s impact. Some 2,293 houses were damaged and 242 were “partially destroyed”, according to the local disaster risk reduction and management councils.
Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar province, has a population of 94,037 in 55 villages.
In Gamay town, the massive destruction has prompted the municipal council to pass a resolution placing the entire town under state of calamity.
“Gusty wind and heavy rains caused the destruction of houses, agricultural products, livestock, and government infrastructure in the municipality,” the resolution read.
Gamay, a fourth-class town has a population of 23,551 in 26 villages. About 981 of its residents have been badly hit by the typhoon.
“Tisoy” brought strong winds of more than 135 kph and dumped 605.5 mm. of rain in 24 hours in Northern Samar starting Monday afternoon. (PNA)
