Ormoc Tragedies

Ormoc Tragedies

Before the onslaught of Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013, Ormoc City faced a powerful storm that submerged parts of the city on November 5, 1991. More than two decades ago, residents of Ormoc had faced a similar tragedy, when hundreds of people were killed in a matter of hours due to flashfloods that submerged the city. On the morning of Nov. 5, 1991, Typhoon Uring (internationally named Thelma) bore down in Leyte, wreaking havoc and burying eastern and western plains of the province in water, sediment and debris. At least 4,000 people were killed in the flashflood triggered by heavy rains. Some 3,000 people were injured and about 2,500 were reported missing after the floods . In just over three hours of flooding, waters rose at an average of 3-5 feet; at the peak of the flooding, waters rose by 7 feet in 15 minutes, according to a 1992 report by the Manila Observatory’s Environmental Research Division. Rivers along the coastal stretched overflowed. When the waters receded, it left behind sediment, 2 feet deep. According to the report, intense rainfall caused the massive flooding in Ormoc and parts of Eastern and Western Leyte. But it was not clear why the typhoon unloaded such heavy rains when it crossed Leyte. Aside from the heavy rainfall, the Manila Observatory’s report identified other factors that contributed to the massive devastation . While the illegal logging and deforestation were to blame for the landslides, geographic conditions in the area also had to be considered. The soil in the Ormoc watershed exceeded its capacity to hold water, while the central part of the island of Leyte, classified as volcanic terrain, has soil that is susceptible to erosion. The flooding was also exacerbated by debris from poorly-made infrastructure. One of the worst hit areas, Isla Verde, recorded a high death toll because the high-risk area was allowed to be heavily populated. To prevent a disaster of this scale from happening again, the city government has taken measures to improve its infrastructure . The municipal local government units began reforestation projects after the 1991 tragedy. The Japan International Cooperation Agency meanwhile, conducted various studies and projects for flood mitigation. This includes the construction of bridges and slit dams for landslides reduction, and improvement of the drainage of rivers in the city. These projects helped cut the numbers of casualties recorded during the onslaught of Yolanda in 2013.

Geraldine Asuqui
1991 FLASH FLOOD



In 2013, Super typhoon Yolanda (internationally named Haiyan) of the strongest typhoons to hit the country-left a trail of devastation along Easter Visayas, killing more than 6,000 people. In Ormoc City, power and communication lines were cut off and roads were left impassable, leaving the city isolated.

Geraldine Asuqui
TYPHOON YOLANDA



ORMOC CITY placed under State of Calamity Cabinet Secretaries, led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, met with Leyte Local Government leaders on rehabilitation efforts after the magnitude 6.5 quake. After a visit of cabinet secretaries and other national government officials to the earthquake-hit province of Leyte, it was decided that a state of calamity will be declared in Ormoc City. It was determined that Ormoc City, along with Kananga, a Leyte municipality, would be declared under a state of calamity, “said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella on Monday , July 10. Abella was among the officials present at the meeting held in Ormoc City. The other cabinet members present were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Public Works Secretary Marki Villar, and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. Other officials present were National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRMC) Executive Director Ricardo Jalad and Representative from the Agriculture, Interior, Budget, Social Welfare, and Health Departments, as well as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The news of a possible state of calamity for Ormoc comes days after Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez said there was no need for a declaration, according to a GMA news report. NDRRMC’s Jalad said it was ultimately the local government officials who reached the decision during the meeting. “It’s the call of the LGU to declare a state of calamity. Considering the effects, I think Ormoc satisfies the criteria”, Jalad said in a message to Rappler. The declaration will allow Ormoc city to access some 60M pesos of its local DRRM fund and around 100M of its Quick Response Fund, said the NDRRMC Chief. Kananga declared a state of calamity last Friday, July 7, a day after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck and left at least two people dead. (Read Philvolcs find ground rupture in quake-hit Leyte). The Ormoc City situation briefing was led by Lorenzana. Leyte officials updated the cabinet officials on the status of recovery and rehabilitation efforts in their areas of jurisdiction. Local government leaders present included Mayor Gomez, Ormoc Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez, and Kananga Mayor Rowena Codilla. Mayor Gomez “reiterated their need for clean, potable water,” said Abella. NEDA representatives, meanwhile, underscored the urgency of bringing back power to affected areas. A full report on rehabilitation efforts is set to be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte himself was supposed to visit Leyte on Monday but the trip was canceled for reasons not provided by the Palace. (Look: In photos: Leyte quake aftermath). Hundreds of aftershocks have rocked Leyte since July 6, including a magnitude 5.8 tremor on Monday morning.

Geraldine Asuqui
2017 EARTHQUAKE