TACLOBAN CITY - Twenty-five stranded local tourists were rescued by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Municipal Emergency Response Unit of Merida, Leyte amid the heavy downpour brought by Tropical Storm 'Agaton' Sunday, April 10.
As 'Agaton' made its landfall in Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, at around 7:30 a.m., the MDRRMO and MERU responded to a call for assistance to rescue the tourists who were trying to cross the flooded river in Brgy. Lundang.
The MDRRMO said the tourists came from nearby Ormoc City and checked in at Resort de Florencio yesterday late afternoon.
As the weather condition started to worsen, the tourists decided to check out early in the morning. However, floods greeted them along the way. The group included some children and a pregnant woman.
The rescued individuals were safely brought home to Ormoc City.
Meanwhile, floods and minor landslides were also reported in some parts of Tacloban City, Eastern Samar, and Southern Leyte, where roads were rendered impassable.
As of 9:30 a.m., the national road in Brgy. Bigo, Arteche, Eastern Samar had not been passable to all types of vehicles. Motorists were advised to take an alternate route in Imelda, Lapinig - Jipapad Road.