The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on Thursday warned of a very high possibility of landslides and flooding in 1,454 villages in Eastern Visayas due to Tropical Storm Basyang.
Of the total number of villages, 1,018 are highly susceptible to flooding, and 436 have a very high possibility of rain-induced landslides, the MGB said in its advisory issued on Thursday.
At least 155 of the highly landslide-prone communities are in Southern Leyte province, 139 in Leyte, 67 in Eastern Samar, 62 in Northern Samar, eight in Biliran, and five in Samar.
For villages with a very high probability of flooding, 323 are in Eastern Samar province, 293 in Leyte, 185 in Northern Samar, 88 in Samar, 88 in Southern Leyte, and 41 in Biliran.
“Considering the antecedent rainfall due to shear line, additional rainfall from Tropical Storm Basyang increases the likelihood of landslides and flooding,” Celeste Faith de la Cruz of the MGB Eastern Visayas regional information office said in a message sent to PNA.
MGB asked residents to stay alert for any signs of an increase or decrease in flood levels, and watch over areas near rivers, slopes, or drainage canals.
They are also asked to report any signs of soil movement, water rising fast, or muddy water.
Those who notice cracks in their walls or tilting of floors and posts in sloping areas are advised to report the situation to village officials.
The MGB issued the warning to help prepare vulnerable communities for the impacts of the weather disturbance in the next few days.
The public can access the list of vulnerable communities through this link: https://tinyurl.com/MGB8-ADVISORIES-BRGYLIST.
The MGB advised the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees to coordinate with their City or Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to plan for any emergency, including the identification of safe and suitable evacuation centers.
