Flood-hit Northern Samar under state of calamity

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 21) — The local government of Northern Samar placed the province under a state of calamity on Tuesday following incessant rains that resulted in flooding and damage to agriculture and infrastructure.

Governor Edwin Ongchuan made the announcement upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“[W]ith the authority granted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, I hereby declare the entire Province of Northern Samar to be in a State of Calamity. This declaration is in response to the severe impact of heavy rainfall, resulting floods, and extensive damage to infrastructure and crops,” Ongchuan said in a statement.

Eleven of the 24 towns in Northern Samar have been affected by the massive flooding that has affected the province due to heavy downpour since last week, according to a report from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 8. These were Mondragon, Lapinig, San Roque, Bobon, Catubig, Laoang, Las Navas, Catarman, Lope de Vega, Pambujan, and Palapag.

Rescue operations to residents trapped in flood waters were still being conducted by the authorities.

In Catarman town, police who were conducting rescue operations had to brave the strong current of floodwater to help residents who were asking for assistance to be evacuated.

As of Tuesday, the PRO8 recorded at least 91 villages affected by the floods from 10 towns. Flooded affected villages in Palapag are yet to be determined.

Data showed the flooding has affected a total of 5,617 families or 27,498 individuals who were seeking temporary shelters in evacuation centers. This number is expected to increase as rescue operations continue in several areas like Catarman, Palapag, and Lope de Vega.

Meanwhile, several parts of the national road in the province were not passable as of Tuesday due to flooding. These included the portion of Catarman-Laoang road in the municipality of San Roque, and portion of the Pangpang-Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig road in the town of Palapag.

Floodwaters continue to affect the town proper of Jipapad in Eastern Samar province. All 13 villages of the municipality are submerged in floodwater since Monday morning, Nov 20, affecting a total of 2,715 families or 9,913 individuals

Floodwaters continue to affect the town proper of Jipapad in Eastern Samar province. All 13 villages of the municipality are submerged in floodwater since Monday morning, Nov 20, affecting a total of 2,715 families or 9,913 individuals

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The Jipapad LGU has already declared a state of calamity.

Monday was the fourth time the municipality experienced flooding this year.

Electricity was still down in the municipality until Tuesday and the main road in Brgy Bigo, Arteche, Eastern Samar leading to the town was still impassable. The town can be reached by using the Arteche-Jipapad-Lapinig road in Brgy Imelda, Lapinig, Northern Samar.

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Aside from Jipapad, other towns in Eastern Samar province like Can-avid, Maslog, Oras, and Arteche were also affected by flooding.

Tacloban-based journalist Wil Mark Amazona contributed to this story.