Pagasa warns anew of possible flooding in Eastern Visayas due to heavy rains

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PNA) - The state weather bureau on Monday issued a flood warning over Eastern Visayas due to heavy rains caused by a low pressure area (LPA) and the northeast monsoon.

In its flood advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has identified several rivers in five provinces that would likely be affected by heavy downpour.

These water courses are Sangputan, Palo, Solano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan, and Binahaan in Leyte; Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mano, and Gamay in Northern Samar.

Other affected rivers are Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorento, Balangiga, and Sulat in Eastern Samar; Basey, Silaga, Calbiga and Jibatan in Samar; and Bisay, Himbangan, and Pandan in Southern Leyte.

“There’s a big chance of flooding in low-lying areas because our soil is saturated due to heavy rains over the past days,” said Mario Peñaranda, chief of Pagasa Tacloban station.

The heavy downpour in the first two weeks of January caused by weather disturbances almost exceeded the average rainfall volume in Eastern Visayas for the month, according to Pagasa.

Mario Peñaranda, chief of Pagasa Tacloban station said that as of Monday morning, rains dumped in the region has already reached 300 millimeters (mm), nearly exceeding the 350 mm average rainfall for January.

The incessant rain prompted the city government here to suspend classes in public and private elementary and secondary schools in the regional capital on Monday.

In its 11 a.m. advisory on Monday, Pagasa said the LPA east northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar has dissipated, but according to Peñaranda, rains will continue in the next days due to northeast monsoon.(PNA)

LAM/SARWELL Q. MENIANO