URDUJA is a legendary warrior princess recognized as a heroine in Pangasinan province. The name seems to come from Sanskrit origin that means “energy,” “force” or “breath.”
In the yesteryears, there was this film Princess Urduja, which was based on legend. There was also this animated feature released in 2008 which voices of actors and actresses used for the characters.
The name Urduja has just been made the name of the day as a namesake weather disturbance wreaked havoc in the Eastern and Western Visayas a few days before Christmas. Tropical Storm “Urduja” has left a handful number of deaths and more are still missing to date.
In some Visayas provinces, it can be noted that deaths mostly came from landslides that affected several communities. With the huge volume of rain experienced, the same triggered flows of mud, rocks and debris.
Rescue efforts to locate missing persons seemed to be futile as rescuers are losing hope to find people which were buried in mud and were presumed to be dead.
Meanwhile, massive damage in infrastructure was also reported in the Visayas, some parts of Bicol, Palawan and Romblon. Several road networks and bridges were damaged due to the storm-triggered landslides and erosions.
Many are into an impression that the landslides and land movement are a result of deforestation due to continuous logging. It is quite evident that mountains and hills are eroded resulting to landslides.
Using simple logic, we can infer that landslides are triggered by the lack of trees which roots clinging the soil, thus preventing erosion. Definitely, when there are no trees’ roots that cling to the soil, the latter becomes loose. With incessant rains being experienced, the loose soils go wild and flow with the rainwater to the lower grounds.
It’s just saddening that there are calamities that happen during this season. While there are a number of deaths and missing, some of the living were rendered to be homeless and have to be evacuated to stay in evacuation centers where they have to perhaps spend their Christmas.
While we cannot avoid having weather disturbances, we can somehow avoid landslides through the total ban on logging in the entire nation. The government can likewise mandate the planting of trees in different parts of the country especially those in areas that are critical to landslides.
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