LA PAZ, Leyte – A family of six survived a landslide triggered by heavy rain from the shear line in Barangay Bocawon here on Monday, Feb. 10.

A HOUSE is buried by a landslide in Barangay Bocawon, La Paz, Leyte, on Monday, Feb. 10. (Marie Tonette Marticio)
The landslide occurred at around 10 a.m. when the mountain collapsed and caused the Gimeranat River to overflow and flood two houses.
Domingo Ero Jr., one of the survivors, said his wife, two in-laws, and newborn grandchild were in their house when they heard a loud burst followed by raging soil and water.
He and his son who were tending to their copra were able to run but others were trapped inside the house.
Ero was able to pull his wife, in-laws, and grandchild from their damaged house after a few minutes. They sustained minor injuries but are all safe.
Barangay Chairman Jerry Pamat said at least 60 households were also affected by the landslide since the only road leading to the barangay was flooded.
He advised his constituents not to cross the flood as there are loose electric cables and strong current that could cause accidents.
Soriano Armenio Jr., Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said that the soil in the area remains unstable. They are also considering implementing preventive evacuation in the barangay.
Classes on all levels were suspended here.
Calabato Hotspring, the municipality’s top tourist destination, was reportedly damaged due to flooding.
Flooding was also reported in parts of Eastern Visayas, particularly Jipapad, Dolores, and Arteche in Eastern Samar, and Tacloban City due to the shearline.
The Arteche-Jipapad-Las Navas-Rawis Road is impassable to all types of vehicles due to a landslide.