NDCC warns Southern Leyte and Surigao residents of possible flashfloods and landslides

By Ronron
January 11, 2008

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Friday advised residents of Southern Leyte, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte to be on alert for possible flashfloods and landslides due to the prevailing Low Pressure Area (LPA).

NDCC Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza said in an advisory that the local disaster and coordinating councils should also take appropriate measures accordingly to avoid any casualties should calamity happen.

“The LPA estimated at 200 kilometers east of Northern Mindanao embedded within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is expected to cross Northern Mindanao and Visayas tonight (Friday). This disturbance will bring moderate to heavy rains over Northeastern Mindanao-Eastern Visayas area, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” Rabonza said.

The forecast rainfall until today (Saturday), he said, could therefore affect the following river systems, streams and its tributaries: Bisay, Himbangan and Pandan Rivers in Southern Leyte; Surigao River in Surigao del Sur; and Tago River in Surigao del Norte.

“People near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the above mentioned river systems area advised to be alert for possible flashfloods and landslides,” Rabonza said.

In February 2006, a major landslide happened in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte due to continuous heavy rains. The incident buried the entire village of Guinsaugon, killing over a thousand people, most of whom were no longer recovered./DMS