Heavy rains, landslides wreak havoc on Northern Samar town

The town of Lope de Vega in Northern Samar suffered severe damage after tropical depression Usman hit last week.

According to Saleema Refran's report on "24 Oras", rescuers found out the extent of the disheartening damage when they finally reached the municipality days after landslides caused it to be isolated.

The town has since declared a state of calamity to tap into the national government's resources for relief and rehabilitation.

At least two victims drowned during Usman's onset, including 84-year-old Leonora Omayan who was swept away by the flood in Batangay Osmeña.

Meanwhile, an entire family, including children aged 14 and five, was buried in a landslide that hit Barangay Henarongan.

Several houses were torn down, with one even ending up at the side of the road. The water also reportedly rose to the second storey of the police station located at the center of the town.

"Akala namin mata-trap na kami sa loob. Buti na lang na-save," Police Senior Inspector Ronnie Abendan, officer-in-charge of Lope de Vega police, said.

Most of the casualties were recorded in areas highly-susceptible to floods and landslides, as indicated in the Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

In spite of this, the local government maintained they conducted preemptive evacuation in these areas.

"Ngayon lang namin na-experience 'yung ganito karami. 'Yung buhos ng ulan, sabi ng PAGASA 432 nangyari ito 30 years ago," Northern Samar Vice Governor Gary Lavin said.

"Siguro estimate ko, one to two months bago kami makaka-recover," said Lope de Vega Mayor Ana Palloc.

"Lahat ng tulong na puwede niyong maibigay, mga pagkain, mga damit o mga gamit pambahay, 'yan ang pangangailangan ngayon ng mga taga-bayan ng Lope de Vega," Northern Samar Jun Ong added. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News