Rains flood Biliran towns

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines  — About 100 families have been ordered to evacuate Friday afternoon until today after flash floods caused by heavy rains submerged eight barangays in Naval town of Biliran.

Naval Vice Mayor Redentor Villordon told The FREEMAN that the affected barangays were Atipolo, Agpangi, Sabang, Caraycaray, San Pablo, Calumpang, Catmon and Larrazabal—all low-lying areas.

“A landslide occurred in Brgy. San Pablo. Some residents were stranded but the area was immediately cleared by the DPWH personnel,” Villordon said, adding that heavy rains also caused Anas River and Caraycaray River to swell, resulting in the flooding.

The Office of Civil Defense-Eastern Visayas also reported flooding in the town of Almeria in Biliran.

Rey Gozon, OCD-8 acting regional director, said he already coordinated with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils of Naval and Almeria to assist the affected residents there.

Several residents, as of yesterday, have been allowed to return to their homes, but local officials and the DSWD-8 personnel have distributed relief goods to the affected residents.

In Eastern Samar, strong winds continued to pummel the province throughout Sunday evening but there was no rain.

As of yesterday, however, the weather has returned to normal in that province, as well as in Tacloban City.