AT least 66 people have been killed, 48 caused by landslides that hit several villages in Baybay City, Leyte where search and retrieval operations by Army forces and other units are still continuing as of Wednesday.
While the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the deaths are still subject of validations, the 48 fatalities in Baybay have been reported and confirmed by the city disaster’s office.
Army forces led by Col. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based in Leyte, were still clearing and sifting through the mud and rubbles in Baybay, hoping to find more victims following the landslides over the weekend.
“There are still areas that are not passable here that is why we’re having a little bit of difficulty [in the operations],” Vestuir said, adding there are still 27 people listed as missing.
Citing an official report, Vestuir said 48 people have died from the landslides that hit the villages of Mailhi, Kantagnos, Bunga, Maypatag, Vsu, Candadam, Zone 21, Hicgop, Can-Ipa and Igang.
At least 105 were also reported injured.
In Abuyog, also in Leyte, Vestuir said at least 12 people were also killed while 86 others were injured due to landslides that forced the evacuation of more than 600 families.
Incessant rains brought by Agaton before and after it made a landfall generated flooding in Visayas and Mindanao. It also triggered landslides, which struck Baybay and Abuyog, particularly Barangays Pilar, Malaguicay and Bahay.
“Here in Abuyog, the search and retrieval operations are being carried out by boat,” Vestuir said.
Aside from the fatalities in Baybay and Abuyog, the NDRRMC reported that six people were killed in Negros Oriental, Monkayo in Davao de Oro and Cateel in Davao Oriental.
In a televised interview on Wednesday, NDRRMC spokesman Mark E. Timbal said, “We saw the severity of the landslides which reached beyond the hazard-prone area and reached the relatively safer part of the community where people stayed to avoid the dangerous areas.”
He disclosed that tropical depression Agaton has led to the evacuation of 34,583 persons nationwide.
Road damage
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday reported that 29 road sections are closed to traffic due to the damage caused by Agaton.
According to Public Works Secretary Roger G. Mercado, there were 13 road sections closed in Region 5; two in Region 7; and 14 in Region 8.
The road sections were “closed to traffic due to flooding, soil slope collapse, soil erosion, landslide, rockslide, road cut, road slip/depression, hollow abutment, and abrupt increase of water level elevation,” he explained.
Another 29 road sections are still with limited access due to soil slope collapse, flooding, landslide, road slip, soil erosion, fallen trees/debris, sinking/damaged paved road, scouring of shoulder, settled foundation, and damaged bridge approach.
“Engineers, maintenance crew and equipment of the DPWH are on the ground to continuously monitor road conditions and carry out clearing and restoration activities,” Mercado said.
NGCP starts tower restoration
THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has commenced restoration works in areas affected by Agaton.
NGCP said on Wednesday that restoration works started in accessible sites for the four steel towers damaged by the typhoon. These towers are located at Barangay Bunga, Baybay, Leyte—components of the Ormoc-Maasin 138 kV line—were affected by a landslide in the area.
NGCP deployed over 100 line personnel to conduct clearing and simultaneous restoration works in three tower sites, while one tower site remains inaccessible due to continued rains and unstable terrain.
The grid operator will be installing Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS) to temporarily restore the isolated line, and transmit any and all available power to the province of Bohol. NGCP targets the temporary restoration of the said line by April 18, depending on the weather situation.
“As we wait for weather conditions to improve, the company is simultaneously preparing all resources needed to expedite restoration works, especially once we assess the remaining area. We are coordinating with concerned local government units and other relevant entities for the assistance needed. We ask the public’s cooperation and understanding as well in order to complete restoration works at the soonest possible time,” the company said.
NGCP will be providing an update when the last affected line is fully restored and energized, or should there be any significant development.
NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s electricity transmission grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr. Rene Acosta, Samuel P. Medenilla, Lenie Lectura and Lorenz S. Marasigan
Image credits: Philippine Coast Guard via AP