FLOODED. A man wades in floodwater in Gandara town, Samar province on Wednesday (Jan. 11, 2023). Like Gandara, Can-avid town in Eastern Samar province also declared a state of calamity due to severe flooding in 28 villages. (Photo courtesy of Bene Dict)
TACLOBAN CITY – Widespread flooding prompted two local government units in Samar provinces to pass a resolution on Wednesday declaring a state of calamity.
Gandara town, Samar Mayor Warren Aguilar said in a Facebook post that the overflow from Gandara River has submerged low-lying communities in their town this week.
“This might result to flashfloods, soil erosion, and landslides and damage not only to agriculture, infrastructure, and properties but also endangering the lives of numerous residents,” the local government stated in its resolution signed by Aguilar, Vice Mayor Ruby Delector, and six members of the municipal council.
The local government reported that several communities have been flooded and considerable volume of crops have been damaged.
The declaration of state of calamity will allow the utilization of the calamity fund to aid affected residents.
In Can-avid town, Eastern Samar, the local government also passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity due to severe flooding in 28 villages.
“The portion of the calamity fund is released to extend immediate relief assistance to the victims due to effect of low-pressure area and shear line,” the resolution stated signed by Vice Mayor Wilfredo Busa and 10 members of the municipal council.
The municipal disaster risk reduction and management council of Basey, Samar also convened on Wednesday and passed a resolution to the town council to declare a state of calamity as flooding displaced several families.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised a red rainfall warning in the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
A red rainfall advisory is issued when rainfall is more than 30 mm. within one hour or if it has continued for the past three hours and is more than 65 mm.
Since third week of December 2022, Eastern Visayas provinces have been experiencing rains due to weather disturbances. (PNA)
