TACLOBAN CITY - At least 15 areas in Maasin City, Southern Leyte were soaked in flood and hundreds of families were displaced as Tropical Storm 'Dante' battered Eastern Visayas Tuesday (June 1).
Over 200 families were greatly affected following the torrential rains, damaging winds, and flooding in several barangays by the city and provincial disaster risk reduction and management offices and other rescue teams.
Residents said water has abruptly flooded their houses which reached up to neck deep. They were able to immediately transfer to higher ground to wait for rescuers.
No casualties were reported among the evacuated families in Combado, Tagnipa, Pasay, Ma. Clara, Canturing, Mambajao, Nasaug, Soro-soro, Asuncion, Laboon, Rizal, Hinapu Daku, Gawisan, Bagtican, and Manhilo. These villages are usually in the city proper, riverside, and shoreline.
Partial damages were likewise reported in Brgy. Combado and Tagnipa.
City Mayor Nacional Mercado has signed an executive order declaring the suspension of classes in any form of alternative or flexible learning system in all levels both public and private schools, and work in both public and private establishments in the city Tuesday.
The flood has already subsided but the city government continues to conduct assessment and restoration efforts.
At least 1,142 passengers, 294 rolling cargoes, 16 vessels, and 2 motorbancas were reportedly stranded in Eastern Visayas.
Work and classes were suspended Tuesday in the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Tacloban City.
A total of 27 families or 83 individuals have also evacuated in Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte, while flooding was also reported in Matalom, Leyte according to OCD Regional Director Lord Byron Torecarrion.