More villages affected by floods in Bicol
LEGAZPI CITY – More villages were flooded due to overflowing rivers in different provinces in the Bicol region on Sunday, Jan. 12, following continuous rains brought by a shear line.
In Libon town in Albay, the villages of Paclas, Ologon, Bulusan, and Bonbon were flooded, and road sections were impassable for all types of vehicles.
Authorities conducted road clearing in the landslide area in Barangay (village) Burabod, and motorists were advised to take precautionary measures.
Hundreds of residents were displaced after the landslide covered houses in the said village during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) in October last year.
In Daraga town, the roads in the villages of Budiao, Inarado, San Ramon, and Bañadero were impassable due to overflowing rivers.
In Catanduanes, heavy rains triggered landslides in Barangay Pananaogan in Bato town, with roads covered with mud.
Article continues after this advertisementAlthough debris from a landslide was cleared, motorists were still advised to move slowly in Barangay Bagumbayan due to slippery roads.
Article continues after this advertisementIn Baras town, floods were also reported in the villages of Salvacion, Tilod, Batolinao, Moning, and Pananaogan.
Pandan town Mayor Raul Tabirara suspended classes on Monday, Jan. 13 in all public and private schools due to expected continuous rains.
The disaster management teams in Virac town also advised village officials to monitor their respective areas as some areas were already affected by flooding.
In Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon, a minor landslide occurred in a quarry site in Barangay San Rafael around 5 a.m. It blocked a road for a couple of hours, said Santa Magdalena public information officer George Furton in a report.
The road connecting Barangay San Rafael and its nearby villages San Eugenio and San Bartolome was covered by debris from the landslide, making it impassable for private and public vehicles.
No injuries or casualties were reported during the incident.
Marlon Futol, head of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, told the Inquirer that the road is now passable after hours of clearing operations.
Futol assured the public the road is once again safe for vehicles, but they are encouraged to be vigilant while passing through the route.
On Jan. 10, a landslide also occurred on Carawisan road in Barangay San Bartolome, a road connecting Santa Magdalena and Bulusan towns, causing delays in trips of motorists and other travelers.
At 11 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a red rainfall warning in Albay and Northern Samar, where severe floods and landslides were expected in high-risk areas.
Pagasa also raised an orange rainfall warning in Sorsogon and Catanduanes, with threats of flooding in low-lying areas and river channels.
