Floods hit more areas across PH amid rains during holiday season — OCD

More areas across the country were flooded amid inclement weather during the holiday season, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Friday.

The OCD said in a statement that a shear line, an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), and low-pressure areas have been causing floods in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Davao Region since December 8.

In Calabarzon, 10 areas in Quezon province were flooded, affecting 367 people or 88 families. A road section in Real, Quezon became impassable.

Meanwhile in Mimaropa, 30 areas were flooded in Oriental Mindoro and Palawan, affecting 48,598 persons or 10,021 families.

Of the affected population, 702 people or 174 families were staying in evacuation centers. Damage to infrastructure and impassable roads were also reported.

A state of calamity was declared in Baco, Oriental Mindoro due to the impact of inclement weather.

In Bicol, 33 areas in Camarines Sur were flooded, affecting 678 people or 154 families. Some of them were taking shelter in evacuation centers. Some 20 road sections remained impassable.

In Eastern Visayas, a fatality due to drowning was reported in Borongan City, Eastern Samar. A total of 199,364 people or 52,949 families were also affected by floods. Some 18 houses were damaged. Clearing operations in landslide-hit areas are still ongoing.

"Immediate needs include food packs in Northern and Eastern Samar and Doxycycline in Catarman, Northern Samar," the OCD said. Doxycycline is an antibacterial antibiotic.

Meanwhile in Davao Region, flooding was also reported in Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental. The Mana Bridge in Malita became impassable and power interruptions were encountered in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

State weather bureau PAGASA said several areas in the country are expected to experience rains on Friday due to the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and ITCZ. — VDV, GMA Integrated News