Landslides, flooding from Bising displace over 109,000 in Bicol

Sporadic landslides and flooding affected Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon as Typhoon Bising (Surigae) dumped moderate to torrential rain in the Bicol region on Monday, April 19.

In Albay, a pick-up truck was swept along by a flood from the foot of Mount Mayon after the detour road at Barangay Budiao in Daraga town was engulfed by water and debris from Mayon.

The passengers of the truck were saved by members of Daraga’s police force, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie M. Fabia. Fabia and his men also used heavy equipment to lift the fallen vehicle from the inundated detour road.

The Philippine National Police in Bicol meanwhile deployed personnel across the Bicol region to assist local government units (LGUs) in the evacuation of residents near coastal and low-lying areas.

Police Brigadier General Bartolome R. Bustamante directed all provincial police offices to deploy vehicles and augment forces for disaster response measures.

Displaced residents

As of 1:00 pm on April 19, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol reported 29,388 families – at least 109,815 people – were displaced by Typhoon Bising.

At least 27,211 families, or 101,427 people, took shelter in evacuation centers, while 2,177 families or 8,388 people took shelter outside evacuation centers.

As of a 4:30 pm update, there were currently no casualties or damage reported in Albay, according to Cedric Daep, chief of the Albay Public Safety Emergency Management Office (APSEMO). However, 16,824 families – 59,656 individuals – were displaced by the typhoon. Of this number, 17,574 individuals were in Malinao, 9,562 were in Tiwi, and 8,383 were in Camalig.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal on Monday afternoon ordered the decampment of evacuees. Other local government units appeared to follow suit, though Guinobatan town Mayor Gemma Ongjoco deferred the decampment due to the threat of lahar. Local disaster risk reduction responders assessed the situation in various areas of Bicol before recommending sending evacuees back to their respective houses.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Emergency Operation Center of Catanduanes reported 15,852 families – or 57,793 individuals from 11 municipalities – were displaced by Typhoon Bising. Additionally, roads to and from Virac to Bato towns were temporarily closed due to falling debris and rocks caused by the heavy rain.

Flooding and sporadic landslides were also reported in several towns of Catanduanes.

In Camarines Sur, at least 835 families or 3,251 persons were evacuated. Meanwhile in Sorsogon, 75 families or 369 persons were also evacuated.

At least 959 persons were stranded in various seaports due to weather conditions. – Rappler.com