1 dead, over 40,000 displaced due to heavy flooding in Eastern Samar

National

WIDESPREAD flooding caused by a shear line left a 66-year-old man dead and 45,844 individuals displaced in Eastern Samar.

The fatality, Alberto Campo, died after his pump boat capsized due to strong current brought by the flood, a report by the Inquirer said.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Llorente reported that the victim was found in a river at Sitio Can-ilo, Barangay Cantomco, on Sunday, March 23.

Myla, Alberto's wife, reported that their boat sank when they were heading home around 10 a.m. on March 20.

Areas that were affected by the flooding include Borongan City, Taft, San Policarpo, Sulat, Maslog, Can-avid, Maydolong, Dolores and San Julian, as per a report from the Eastern Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

Due to flooding and landslides, roads were closed in some areas, while some towns suffered agricultural losses amounting to P3.3 million, PDRRMO reported.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Red Gatchalian has instructed the agency’s field office in Region 8 to deliver over 23,000 family food packs on March 22, to the flood-affected families.

As of Sunday, March 23, over 9,000 family food packs were distributed to the towns of Taft, San-avid, San Policarpo, and Borongan City, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.

The food packs contain 6 kg. of rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of cereal drinks.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the nonstop rains were caused by a shear line, a weather phenomenon that forms when air masses collide, leading to heavy rainfall, prolonged precipitation, and an increased risk of flash floods.(Johanna Sumalinog, USJ-R Intern)