Eastern Samar floods displace over 45,000, one dead

Eastern Samar is facing severe flooding after relentless rains that started on March 20. The downpour was caused by a shear line, which is when cold fronts meet easterly winds. This weather phenomenon led to significant rainfall, affecting at least 28,724 families, or about 45,844 people across the region. Unfortunately, the flooding resulted in the death of a 66-year-old man named Alberto Campo. He drowned when his boat capsized due to strong currents. His body was found on March 23 in a river. His wife survived the incident and reported that their boat sank while they were returning home. The floodwaters have impacted many areas, including Borongan City and several nearby towns. Water on some roads has made them impassable for all vehicles. Initial evaluations show that agriculture losses in Taft and Can-avid have already reached approximately 3.3 million pesos. In response to the crisis, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed over 19,000 food packs to affected areas. They have also prepared an additional 125,000 food packs for further relief efforts. The heavy rains are expected to continue due to the shear line, which can cause prolonged periods of rain, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. Regional authorities have issued a red warning, urging local governments to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect lives. In another incident, a cargo ship, MV Fionan, anchored off the coast of Northern Samar due to mechanical issues. It has 23 Vietnamese crew members and was heading from Australia to Vietnam. Authorities are trying to gather more information about the vessel and its cargo, but face language barriers.