Yolanda did not erode Bohol sinkholes – MGB

MANILA, Philippines - Packing more wind than rain, Super Typhoon Yolanda pummeled Bohol over the weekend, but did not aggravate the risks posed by the sinkholes in the province, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

MGB director Leo Jasareno said only one sinkhole – the one in Cortes town – was eroded. He said no one was reported dead or hurt in the incident.

Government geologists are mapping existing and potential sinkholes in Bohol and Cebu. Around 20 sinkholes, which appeared after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month, have been verified.

Most of the sinkholes, which measure four by five meters wide and two meters deep, are located at the center of the villages.

Some of the sinkholes, Jasareno said, pose no immediate danger to residents unless their topsoil weakens.  He said no new sinkholes were discovered after the onslaught of Yolanda.

The MGB chief said they are coordinating with the local government units in various provinces whose areas are prone to landslides, as Tropical Storm Zoraida threatens the country.

He said 91 villages in Surigao del Norte have been identified as prone to landslides, while 177 others are flood-prone.

In Surigao del Sur, 25 villages are likely to suffer from landslides and 209 others from floods.