In Eastern Samar
(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Continuous rains brought by a shear line have caused widespread flooding and forced evacuations in several towns in Eastern Samar, affecting more than 26,000 residents, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
In its Situational Report No. 2, the PDRRMO said 8,118 families or 26,252 individuals were affected in seven local government units: Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Can-avid, Borongan City, Llorente, and Balangiga.
Of the affected population, 122 families or 442 individuals were displaced, with seven families, composed of 24 individuals, currently staying in an evacuation center in Jipapad.
The PDRRMO also reported landslides in several barangays in Taft and Borongan City. While most affected areas have already been cleared and are now passable, Barangay Benowangan in Borongan City remains impassable due to soil collapse.
Flooding was reported in at least 39 barangays across Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Taft, Borongan City, Salcedo, Maydolong, and San Julian. In some areas of Jipapad, floodwaters rose to chest level, while several roads and bridges remain impassable.
Despite the extent of flooding, authorities said no damage has been reported so far to houses, agriculture, livestock, or poultry. There have also been no reports of deaths, injuries, or missing persons, and power and communication services across the province remain operational.
As a precautionary measure amid continuing rainfall, Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone ordered the suspension of classes at all levels, both public and private, across Eastern Samar on Monday, January 5, 2026, through an executive order.
The province has been placed under Blue Alert Status, with the PDRRMO activating its Emergency Operations Center and placing emergency response teams on standby as monitoring continues.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
