A low-pressure area (LPA) and the shear line caused severe flooding in the town of Gandara, Samar, which has since been declared a disaster.

The Sangguniang Bayan of the town approved the resolution to declare a state of calamity on Wednesday during a special meeting after the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported that several villages had been submerged due to the Gandara River’s overflow.

There have also been reports of landslides in some areas of Barangay Tawiran.

According to the Gandara municipal council, it was necessary to declare a state of emergency in order to facilitate the quick release of funds required to help the affected residents.

Gandara Mayor Warren Aguilar told TeleRadyo on Wednesday that four days of nonstop rain have resulted in flooding in some areas.

Additionally, it has made it more difficult to provide aid to the 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.

Out of the 69 barangays in the town, 50, according to Aguilar, are still under water.

“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 begging with other government organisations for assistance.

“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.

Until 11 a.m. PAGASA discovered the LPA on Wednesday, 575 kilometers to the east of Surigao City.

Over the Eastern and Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, it was expected to bring moderate to heavy rains, with some instances of intense downpours.

The Bangsamoro region, Northern Mindanao, Bicol, and the remainder of Caraga and Visayas would also experience light to moderate rains, with heavy rains occurring occasionally.