MANILA, Philippines – Super typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan) may be threatening to wreak havoc on provinces in all major islands, and hit the Visayas hardest, but what it renders most vulnerable to landslides and floods is the Caraga region in Mindanao.

According to data provided by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), among the regions affected by Yolanda, Caraga has the highest percentage of municipalities and barangays where landslides and floods will likely occur.

Out of the region’s 73 cities and municipalities, 62 (85%) are prone to floods, while 62% are highly vulnerable to landslides. Out of 1,310 barangays, 789 or 60% are susceptible to flooding.

MGB also provided data on Bicol (Region V), Western Visayas (Region VI), Central Visayas (Region VII), and Eastern Visayas (Region VIII). (READ: Typhoon Yolanda: East Visayas signal no. 4)

Regions that should especially beef up their flood mitigation are Bicol and Western Visayas, where more than half of cities and municipalities are likely to experience flooding.

Eastern Visayas should also brace for landslides, as more than half (54%) of its cities and municipalites are prone to the potentially fatal phenomenon.

Some provinces are completely exposed to the dangers of flooding. According to the data, all towns and cities in Capiz, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands are likely to flood. In some provinces, like Antique and Agusan del Sur, all but one city or municipality are threatened by floods.

Catanduanes, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, and Southern Leyte are provinces where more than half of cities and municipalities are vulnerable to landslides.

Many of these provinces have been placed under signal number 4 by state weather bureau PAGASA, namely:

• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Capiz
• Biliran
• Aklan
• Northern Antique
• Extreme Northern Cebu including Bantayan Island

Winds of more than 185 km/h can be expected in these areas within 12 hours.

Table 4: Region 13 – CARAGA

Table 1: Region 5 – Bicol

Table 2: Region 6 – Western Visayas

Table 3: Region 7 – Central Visayas

Table 5: Region 8 – Eastern Visayas

Said to be the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, Yolanda has forced thousands across the nation to evacuate. (READ: ‘Violent’ Yolanda to hit 5M people hardest)

It is expected to make landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, at 5 am Friday, November 8, before traversing Biliran, the northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, the southern part of Mindoro, and Busuanga, before exiting the Philippine landmass on Saturday morning.

PAGASA predicted that the super typhoon will be packing maximum sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour, with gustiness of 260 kph.

PAGASA warned affected communities to prepare for “very heavy” damage including disruptions to major power sources and communication lines. They must also brace for major damage to infrastructure and great agricultural losses. – Rappler.com