5 dead in Leyte landslide – OCD

Voltaire Tupaz

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5 dead in Leyte landslide – OCD
(UPDATED) Many roads in Leyte have also become impassable due to floods caused by Tropical Storm Seniang

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Five people died in a landslide that hit Tanauan town in Leyte early morning Tuesday, December 30, due to heavy rains and strong winds brought by Tropical Storm Seniang, an Office of Civil Defense (OCD) official said.

“We have yet to confirm the identities of the victims but we can verify that our rescuers have recovered 5 bodies and rescued 1 person with the help of the Philippine Army,” OCD region 8 director Blanche Gobenciong said in a statement.

Tanuan Mayor Pelagio Pecson earlier told Rappler that the bodies were already in the municipal hall. (READ: Help map critical reports #SeniangPH)

Various landslides in the region were reported by OCD as Tropical Storm Seniang traversed parts of Mindanao and Visayas, pouring moderate to heavy amounts of rain and causing floods in several areas.

RISING WATER. An image posted on Agos Alert map early Tuesday morning, December 30, shows rising floodwaters in Dagami town after Binahaan River overflowed. Photo by Dalejustin Berino

The landslide was recorded in Barangay Cabuynan, Tanauan, Leyte which blocked major roads. Different portions of the main road connecting Tacloban City and the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tabon-Tabon, Dagami and Burauen are also impassable due to flooding in the province.

Areas in Barangay Kulisingan, Sugod, Southern Leyte also experienced landslides near some villages.

“As of now, clearing operations are being done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),” Gobenciong added.

Floods reached as high as 6 feet in Dagami town proper, sleepless residents of Dagami reported on Facebook.

The major river Binahaan and its tributaries swelled overnight, inundating the towns as incessant rain pummeled the province starting Monday, December 29.

In Ormoc City, around 11 families or 38 people were evacuated, OCD said. In San Francisco, Southern Leyte, 12 families or 45 people from 4 communities were also forced to leave their homes.

Aside from the 5 casualties in Tanauan, 3 others were reported dead due to Seniang in Mindanao. Floods in the region also forced thousands to leave their homes. – David Lozada/ Rappler.com

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