
Around 57,000 individuals have been affected by escalating flooding situation caused by heavy rains attributed to the shearline and low-pressure area (LPA) in Eastern Visayas (Region 8), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday, Nov. 21.
There were 14,775 families composed of 57,606 individuals who were affected by the two weather disturbances in 103 barangays in Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Biliran, according to a situational report from the NDRRMC.
Of the number, 45 families or 193 individuals were temporarily staying in 11 evacuation centers in Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, and, Biliran.
In response, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed search and rescue (SAR) teams to evacuate residents in the affected areas.
In Catarman, Northern Samar, PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said that the Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas, thru its Coast Guard Station Northern Samar, rescued three families at Barangay Macagtas due to chest deep flood. They were relocated to an evacuation center in Catarman.
"The rescue and evacuation operations are still in progress as emergency response teams continue their efforts to safeguard the residents of Catarman. The situation is being closely monitored, and additional resources are being deployed to manage the evolving crisis," Balilo said in a statement.
Meanwhile, eight rain-induced landslides and 71 flooded areas were recorded in Leyte, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
The NDRRMC said it has provided a total of P1.47 million worth of relief assistance to the flood-hit residents in Region 8.