Manila: At least 10 areas in Eastern Visayas were directly affected by flooding from heavy rains associated with a shearline, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional office here.

According to Philippines News Agency, OCD Eastern Visayas Regional Director Rey Gozon stated that the data were gathered from the disaster risk reduction and management offices of affected towns and cities. The affected areas include the cities of Tacloban, Calbayog in Samar, and Borongan in Eastern Samar; the town of Mayorga in Leyte; Culaba and Maripipi in Biliran; and the towns of Can-avid, Dolores, Jipapad, and Maslog in Eastern Samar.

A total of 1,564 families, or 5,798 individuals, were displaced by the flooding. Of these, 139 families, or 437 individuals, were evacuated to designated evacuation centers, while 15 families, or 60 individuals, sought temporary shelter in other safe areas outside evacuation facilities. No casualties have been reported, Gozon said, although there are reports of missing persons that are still being verified.

The OCD also received reports of a landslide in the town of Babatngon, Leyte. However, the affected road remains passable and has not caused major traffic disruptions. 'Before the shearline, the OCD issued five memoranda: suspending travel to Eastern Visayas, raising alert from white to blue, preparing personnel for humanitarian aid, enforcing preemptive evacuations, and activating a virtual operations center to monitor affected areas,' Gozon said in an interview.

As flooding persists in several areas, the OCD urges authorities to monitor closely and issue timely advisories to residents.