‘Gilas’ leaves 1 dead in Leyte

ORMOC CITY — Tropical depression "Gilas," packing rains and winds of 55 kilometers per hour, wreaked havoc in Leyte Wednesday afternoon, destroying agricultural crops, washing away at least 23 houses in coastal villages and leaving a lone casualty.

Reports said 22-year-old Lorena Loberas, barangay secretary of upland Patag here, was crossing the river along a female companion to evacuate to her brother’s house when strong currents tossed her away.

Loberas’ body was retrieved at the boundary of Barangays Patag and Alta Vista, more than a kilometer away. Her friend was unhurt.

City social welfare officer Marietta Legaspi said heavy floods affected 2,177 families in different barangays. Of the number, 1,742 families sought refuge in six evacuation centers.

Legaspi quoted field technicians as saying that "Gilas" destroyed at least 30 hectares of vegetable farms, a 15-hectare corn plantation, and a five-hectare banana plantation. Initial crop damage was placed at P700,000.

In Barangay Punta, meanwhile, Lilia Ruiz, principal of the Linao Elementary School, complained to the police that the back of her house was shattered when the M/V Shuttle Ferry docked at the GGC port, was carried by huge waves and slammed into her house. — Roberto Dejon