Baras, Palo, Leyte— The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 8 has commenced its dredging operations along Burayan River on Saturday(Jan.14) morning in an effort to prevent overflow and consequently alleviate flooding in several areas in Tacloban City, Leyte.

The Burayan River, one of the major waterways in Tacloban City, was dredged from silted materials to prevent flooding incidents in nearby areas last Saturday(Jan.14) (DPWH-8)

This is after DPWH 8 Regional Director Edgar B. Tabacon directed the regional office’s Equipment Management Division (EMD) to deploy amphibious excavator to desilt the Burayan River.

“One amphibious excavator K4-65 is now operating and desilting the Burayan River. By doing so, we are mitigating inundations in areas stretching from barangays San Jose, to Marasbaras, and all the way to V&G subdivision”, said Regional Director Tabacon.

DPWH 8 took advantage on the improved weather condition over the weekend to start desilting the Burayan river. On Saturday alone, an estimated volume of 288 cu.m. silted materials were removed during the non-stop 6-hour dredging operation.

This operation might continue to be carried out for the entire year.

Aside from the Burayan River, dredging operations along Bangon River has been ongoing for more than 2 years now which has helped prevent flooding in the town of Palo, Leyte.

RD Tabacon also stated that these operations are part of the office’s response to the recent flooding in the region due to LPA. (PR)