PAGASA: Shear line in Northern Samar pours more than a month's rain in just few days

The town of Catarman in Northern Samar experienced more than a month's worth of rain in just 24 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). 

In Cendric Castillo's report on "24 Oras," PAGASA said the normal rainfall in Catarman every November is only 457.8 millimeters. PAGASA recorded 618 millimeters of rainfall in a 24-hour period.  In just three days, the amount of rainfall reached 940.7 millimeters.

“Pero ‘yung nangyari kahapon, sa loob lamang ng 24 hours ay mas marami yung natanggap na ulan ng Catarman. ‘Pag mababa ang lugar mo, low lying ka, tapos umulan ng marami. Siguradong may epekto ‘yun in terms of localized flooding,” said Chris Perez, PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief. 

(But what happened yesterday, in just 24 hours, Catarman received more rain. When your place is low-lying it rains a lot. That definitely has an effect in terms of localized flooding.)

The state weather bureau said this is due to the shear line, where cold and warm air converge. 

“Ang concentration ng may kalakihang amount ay halos nandito sa Northern Samar patungo sa southern part ng Bicol region. But hindi tayo pwedeng maging kampante, itong natitirang bahagi ng Eastern Visayas may inaasahan din po tayo d’yang paulan and also other parts of Bicol region,” Perez added. 

(“The concentration of a large amount is almost in Northern Samar towards the southern part of the Bicol region. But we cannot be complacent, the rest of the Eastern Visayas will also expect rains and also other parts of the Bicol region.”) 

The local government of Northern Samar did not expect such a heavy and prolonged downpour.

“Ramdam na ramdam ang impact ng binuhos lalo na yung kahapon dahil maraming nabigla. Ito ang worst in recent memory sa aming probinsya. 95% ng mga barangay ay binaha,” Northern Samar PDRRMO Chief Rei Joshia Echano said. 

(We really felt its impact, especially yesterday when many people were caught by surprise. This is the worst in recent memory in our province. 95% of the barangays were flooded.) 

The sudden deluge forced over 24,000 families to evacuate. 

Floodwaters were so high that residents were seen clinging to pieces of wood and styrofoam while others were forced to swim to safety amid the presence of electric wires.

During rescue operations, authorities experienced difficulties due to the strong water current. 

In the municipality of Jipapad, Eastern Samar, residents lifted a coffin out of a house after it was submerged in the flood.

A portion of a house had to be destroyed to allow an old man who was trapped to get out. Rescuers were able to rescue and bring him to an evacuation center.—RF, GMA Integrated News