20 barangays flooded anew

TACLOBAN CITY , Philippines  — Saint Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza, chairman of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council yesterday noon ordered a pre-emptive evacuation of residents of at least 20 barangays, which were flooded again.

Office of the Civil Defense-Southern Leyte officer, Marichu Tan, said the town's rainfall reading from 8 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. yesterday has reached 188 millimeters, and resulted in the inundation of the 20 barangays.

Evacuation is now being undertaken by the municipal government, said Tan after the Philippine Information Agency relayed the situation to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the 8th Infantry Division for proper action.

Major General Mario Chan immediately forwarded to the PIA text message informing that a platoon of the 19th Infantry Brigade, led by 1st Lieutenant Tomarong; another platoon, led by Captain Canto of the 802nd Brigade, and a squad CAA from Himusunan Detachment conducted evacuation operations at Brgy. Tambis of the town.

On January 2, the town was covered with flood waters causing the displacement of thousands of residents.