Heavy rains bring floods, landslides

CEBU, Philippines -  At least five families had to evacuate their houses which were affected by a landslide caused by heavy rains in sitio Awihaw, Barangay Kalunasan yesterday afternoon.

There were also reports of flooding in several areas of Cebu City since it rained heavily at 3 pm.

Cebu City Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (LDRRMO) ground commander Molly Guarin said a landslide hit some parts of Kalunasan but luckily, did not injure anyone.

Guarin said the victims have been used to vacating their houses as soon as the rain pours.

He said barangay officials are requesting the city government for the rip-rap in sitio Lukana to be cemented after it was affected by the landslide.

Guarin said they also covered up a hollow portion also caused by the flooding along the road in sitio Saint Anthony.

“Among gimasahan ug gibutangan ug mga bato kay kalsada ra ba from CPDRC and BBRC to Guadalupe,” Guarin said.

In sitio Tigbao, Barangay San Jose, vehicles were made to use just one lane. Guarin said only one lane was passable after heavy rains damaged a major part of the road.

“Delikado na agian maong gipa-detour ang mga sakyanan,” Guarin said.

A railing also fell near the damaged portion of the road apparently due to the loosened soil.

City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) base communication operator Erwin Restauro said barangay officials later fixed the damage.

Restauro said the incident caused heavy traffic in San Jose, affecting vehicles bound for Talamban.

At least three road accidents were also reported from 3 pm until 7 pm, but the damage was just minimal and not a single person was injured.

Flooding was reported to have affected the streets of A. Soriano, J. Luna, Junquera, Bonifacio, Jakosalem, Sanciangko, R. Padilla, V. Gullas, and Legaspi.

Barangays Mabolo, Mambaling, Kinasang-an Pardo, Talamban, and San Jose were also flooded, including Osmeña Boulevard.

Restauro said Mahiga Creek in Banilad also overflowed but did not affect any resident. — (FREEMAN)