mines-and-geosciences-buereu-logoTACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, August 1(PIA) –The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Eastern Visayas has urged the evacuation of residents in some barangays in three Leyte areas which are identified as landslide-prone areas following a geohazard assessment which was conducted immediately after the July 6 earthquake.

A copy of the report signed by MGB8 OIC regional director Raul L. Laput disclosed that during the inspection of the geohazard assessment team it was found out that several barangays were landslide affected areas.

There were four barangays in the municipality of Jaro,Leyte namely Barangays Atipolo, Canhandungan, Rubas and San Pedro; seven barangays in the municipality of Kananga such as Barangays Hiluctugan, Lim-ao, Mahawan, Masarayao, San Ignacio, Santo Domingo, and Tongonan; and Barangays Cabaon-an, Danao, Cabintay, Milagro, and Tongonan in Ormoc City.

Although no buildings or houses were destroyed in Jaro, Leyte when the 6.5 earthquake occurred last July 6, the biggest landslide in Barangay Rubas happened and cracks of a partially damaged Bienvenido Celebre National High School in Barangay Uguiao were observed.

While in Kananga Leyte, two barangays such as Lim-ao and Tongonan were heavily affected by landslides and numerous tension cracks were also observed on the road.

The geohazard team likewise recommended the immediate relocation of residents in Sitio Abucayan, Brgy. Rizal Kananga Leyte, due to the impending threats of landslides.

The report also disclosed that extensive tension cracks may exacerbate the problem and may cause rain-induced landslides during extreme weather conditions.

Celeste Faith Dela Cruz of MGB8 also informed that other recommendations include the need for geoscientists to be deployed in such areas and to conduct a ground penetrating radar (GPR) and resistivity/magnetic geophysical survey to determine subsurface geohazards.

To recall, following the 6.5 quake, a geohazard assessment team led by chief geologist Valentin Narido was deployed to quake-hit areas in Leyte. (MGB8/PIA8/ajc/cba)