Flooding in Gandara, Samar. Courtesy of Yanyan Espadero Morados

Flooding in Gandara, Samar. Courtesy of Yanyan Espadero Morados

Flooding in Gandara, Samar. Courtesy of Yanyan Espadero Morados

Flooding in Gandara, Samar. Courtesy of Yanyan Espadero Morados

Flooding in Gandara, Samar. Courtesy of Yanyan Espadero Morados

Flooding in Gandara, Samar. Courtesy of Yanyan Espadero Morados

MANILA (UPDATE) — The town of Gandara, Samar has been placed under a state of calamity after it was hit by severe flooding caused by a low-pressure area (LPA) and the shear line.

The resolution to declare the state of calamity was passed by the town's Sangguniang Bayan during a special session on Wednesday, after the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported that several villages were inundated following the overflow of the Gandara River.

Landslides were also reported in some parts of Barangay Tawiran.

The Gandara municipal council said that it deemed necessary to declare the state of calamity for the immediate release of funds necessary to assist affected residents.

Speaking with TeleRadyo on Wednesday, Gandara Mayor Warren Aguilar said it has been raining non-stop for four days, causing floods in some areas.

It has also hampered the distribution of relief goods to affected residents.

"Kahapon, hindi na nakakapasok yung mga relief goods natin, mga food packs sa mga barangay. So nagdeklara na kami ng state of calamity dito. Ngayon nahihirapan na kami mamili ng pagkain," Aguilar added.

Aguilar said around 50 out of the town's 69 barangays are still flooded.

"Affected ang 69 barangay pero 'yung 50 ang nag-forced evacuation na sa iba't ibang barangay at evacuation center. Iyong ilog namin, pataas na, papunta na sa mga commercial street namin dito sa bayan," he said.

He is also appealing for help from other government agencies.

"Humihingi kami ng tulong sa inyo lalo na sa agrikultura dahil iyong mga tao dito, ito lang ang hanapbuhay namin. 99% sa bayan namin, hanapbuhay ay pagsasaka. Actually, bagong tanim lang sila, 'yung mga rice field namin dito, ngayon dinaanan, sigurado ako, wipe out lahat iyan," Aguilar said.

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, PAGASA spotted the LPA about 575 kilometers east of Surigao City.

It was forecast to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Eastern and Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

The LPA would also bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains to the Bangsamoro region, Northern Mindanao, Bicol, and the rest of Caraga and Visayas.

— Report from Jeffrey Hernaez, ABS-CBN News

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