Heavy rains cause floods in western Leyte

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Nov. 5 (PNA) -- Continuous rains on Friday flooded the towns of Palompon, Merida and Isabel in the western part of Leyte province, leading to the forcible evacuation of people living along coastal areas.

The floods rendered some roads impassable to all types of vehicles in Isabel. As of Friday night, only trucks were allowed to pass.

Isabel Police investigator, Police Officer 3 Joel Soquene, said that as floodwaters rose waist-deep at 2:30 p.m., 20 residents of the coastal village of Marvel were ordered to leave their houses.

A combined team of personnel of the local disaster risk reduction and management office and police brought the evacuees to the town gymnasium, where they received food packs sent by local social welfare workers.

The town hall vicinity was also submerged in knee-deep waters.

PO2 Paul Cabalquinto of the Palompon Police also said that heavy rains caused flooding in some areas in the town, but it immediately subsided.

An electric post in a village about 10 km. from the town center however fell, causing a power outage.

There was no report of injury or casualty during the flooding. (PNA)
CVL/SQM/Elvie R. Roa