EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – Twelve municipalities in Eastern Samar were placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday, October 23, as torrential rain, flooding, and landslides caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) affected nearly 7,000 families in the province.
Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone said the decision was made after reports and recommendations from local governments were discussed during a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) meeting.
The affected municipalities include Maydolong, Borongan City, San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Can-avid, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Maslog, and Jipapad.
Quoting the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the state-owned Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Eastern Samar reported that more than 6,700 families had been affected as of 9 am Wednesday, with the majority coming from the northern part of the province, including Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, and Can-avid.
Jipapad was the hardest hit, with all 13 of its barangays submerged by floodwaters.
Evacuations of affected families and individuals have been carried out, and clearing operations and relief efforts are ongoing across the province. An initial report of three missing fishermen from the town of Sulat has been resolved, with all of them found safe by their local disaster management team. – Rappler.com
Efren Cyril Bocar is a student journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar, enrolled in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. A managing editor of Amaranth, Cyril is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.