Seniang turns Bohol towns into waterworld

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Tropical storm Seniang battered mostly the southern part of Bohol and this capital city on Monday and virtually turned at least three towns into a "waterworld."

There was no casualty reported though, but some areas of this city were under water at past midnight on Monday after Seniang made a landfall in Anda town, hundred kilometers east from here.

The house of Eustacia Caunsag, 84, who was with three others, was cut in half when an onrush of water hit it at Barangay Bool, in this city. They were evacuated to higher ground past midnight and were safe, her relative said.

Barangay Manga Chairperson Leda Saco told The Freeman that the detour bridge, between her barangay and La Paz in Cortes town, became impassable for hours due to waist-deep and rushing waters.

In Loboc town, the tourist river cruising capital of Bohol, its old church ruined by earthquake last year and municipal building and other private were under water, reports said. Hundreds of people were still in their respective houses under water in at least five barangays. Its river cruising activities grind to a halt as the river banks overflowed, said a resident.

In Barangay Jamilian of Loboc town, vast rice fields, recently planted, became a big lake as can be seen from the road. Children and old ones were already rescued while others preferred to remain in their houses, the waters of which reached their ceilings.

Loboc Councilor Erwin Baquial, who took time to bring drinking water to barangay folk said that maybe half of the 900 residents of Jamilian were affected by floods from the overflowing Loboc River.

The national highway towards Chocolate Hills, along Barangay Agape in Loay town, remained impassable by all kinds of vehicles until noon yesterday.

Agape Barangay Chairman Noel Imboy said the road was closed to all vehicles until the flood subsided. He said he already distributed some relief goods to his constituents who cannot cross the highway under water of about waist deep.

In Cortes town, about 10 kilometers north of this city, some residents near the river bank of Abatan river, one of three biggest river in Bohol, were evacuated to safer ground on Monday when the water swelled due to continuous downpour.