Heavy rains may hit Samar anew

MANILA, Philippines - Still recovering from the onslaught of Typhoon Ruby last week, residents in Eastern Samar face possible widespread flooding due to an approaching low-pressure area that may dump heavy rains over the province.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) monitored the low-pressure area at 410 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms over the Visayas, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

A rainfall advisory on Southern Samar was also issued yesterday because of the monitored LPA.

The regions of CARAGA and Bicol were forecast to have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Several areas in Metro Manila and Luzon will also experience light to moderate rainshowers due to the northeast monsoon. Coastal waters along Luzon and the eastern section of the Visayas will be moderate to rough because of moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast.

“All Office of Civil Defense regional offices concerned are directed to undertake precautionary measures in their areas of responsibility and subsequently advise local disaster units to initiate pre-emptive evacuation of families in low-lying and mountainous areas if the situation warrants,” NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama said.

The NDRRMC said that as of yesterday, there are still 62,768 families, or 306,192 individuals, displaced by Typhoon Ruby. They are staying at 1,064 evacuation centers in Central Luzon; Southern Tagalog; Bicol; Eastern, Central and Western Visayas; Caraga Region and National Capital Region.

However, 207 families residing at the island barangay of Pikling in Dolores town will have to stay in makeshift tents and shanties while rebuilding their destroyed houses.

“All but four of the 207 houses in the island fishing village were totally damaged by Typhoon Ruby,” Dolores Mayor Emiliano Villacarillo said.

“Most of the evacuees in Poblacion have started leaving the evacuation centers for their villages to rebuild their destroyed houses,” he added.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 6 has released P19.7 million in assistance to people in Western Visayas affected by Typhoon Ruby.

The DSWD Regional Office 6 has completed the distribution of 62,551 family packs and rice in affected municipalities and cities in the region.

Australia will also provide further support to affected communities.

Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell said the assistance includes health and dignity kits containing toiletries, feminine hygiene and sanitation kits to be distributed to at least 3,000 pregnant and lactating women in Eastern and Western Samar through the United Nations Population Fund.