Northern Samar, Eastern Samar under state of calamity due to massive flooding

Continuous rains from a low-pressure area and shear line caused massive flooding in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.

Northern Samar was placed under a state of calamity following the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) after 18 towns were inundated.

The declaration states that 74,500 families or 370,000 individuals from 24 towns in Northern Samar were affected by the calamity.

All 55 barangays in Catarman, Northern Samar remained flooded, with over 95% of its barangays affected, forcing at least 1,263 individuals to evacuate.

The municipal information chief of Catarman described the incident as the worst flooding in the area in nearly five decades.

Classes at all levels and work in most public and private sectors in Northern Samar are suspended on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, except for essential services.

The municipalities of Jipapad and Arteche in Eastern Samar declared a state of calamity due to floodwaters reaching 5-6 feet, affecting 8,518 families or 32,092 individuals.

The national road along Arteche-Jipapad-Las Navas-Rawis Road in Barangay Bigo, Arteche is not passable due to high floodwaters.

Several towns in Northern Samar, including Catarman, Catubig, Gamay, Lapinig, Las Navas, Lope de Vega, Mapanas, Mondragon, Pambujan, Rosario, San Roque, Victoria, Lavezares, Palapag, Laoang, and Bobon, were reported to be flooded.