TORRENTIAL rains brought by Tropical Storm Dante caused massive flooding in Eastern Visayas towns Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas, said a total of 173 persons were evacuated in Maasin City, Southern Leyte and Matalom, Leyte, as of Tuesday evening.
“Our assessment is still ongoing. Our team is still in the field,” Jonas Maco, administrator of Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Southern Leyte chapter,” told SunStar Philippines.
Red Cross Action Team 143 volunteers also distributed drinking waters and used clothing to the evacuees at the Rosa Espina Yñiguez Memorial School (Reyms) in Maasin.
Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado also led the relief and rescue efforts in the flood-hit city, along with the local police.
“In this difficult and trying time, LGU Maasin through our CSWDO and CDRRMO in coordination with our barangay officials will make sure that those who are in the different evacuation centers will be given assistance. As of this moment, coordinations and validations are still ongoing,” said Mercado.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) earlier warned of serious flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas, as it placed the entire Southern Leyte province, including Maasin City, under signal number 2.
In Leyte, flooded areas were also reported in four barangays in Hilongos and another two barangays in Bato.
At least nine ships were stranded in Allen port in Northern Samar, while three in Liloan, Southern Leyte, and another three in Hilongos town.
A total of 365 vehicles and 1,361 persons were stranded in the ports of Allen, Liloan, and in San Ricardo town.
According to Rentuaya, police personnel in the region have rescued 156 persons during the flooding.
Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office deployed 52 personnel for the search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) operations, Rentuaya said.
A total of 1,522 SRR personnel in the region were also on standby.
No casualties and major damage in infrastructures were reported as of Tuesday evening. (SunStar Philippines)