Landslide Hits Southern Leyte Town: One Missing, Property Damaged
Tacloban City — A powerful landslide struck an interior village in San Ricardo town, Southern Leyte, early Sunday morning, July 13, leaving one person missing and causing widespread property damage. The early landslide incident has raised concerns among local authorities and residents.
The landslide occurred at 5:55 a.m. after continuous heavy rains started around 5 p.m. the previous day and lasted until 3 a.m., according to reports from regional officials. This prolonged downpour destabilized the soil, triggering the disaster.
Impact on Barangay San Ramon and Search Efforts
The affected area is Barangay San Ramon, located 40 kilometers from San Ricardo’s town center. This village is currently connected by a viaduct under construction to the neighboring village of Looc. Local sources identified the missing man as Dador Moscosa, 54, a foreman employed by 888 ACY Construction, the company handling the infrastructure project.
Rescue teams from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, together with police officers, village officials, and residents, have launched search and rescue operations to locate Moscosa. He is said to be a resident of Samar province. According to local leaders, Moscosa was swept away by rushing water caused by the landslide while sleeping in the construction workers’ barracks.
Damages and Evacuations Following the Landslide
The landslide damaged several properties, including two homes, multiple motorcycles, a cement mixer, a dump truck, and the workers’ quarters. Fortunately, Moscosa’s coworkers and other affected residents escaped without injury. However, initial reports confirm that one unidentified person sustained minor injuries during the event.
Authorities have evacuated families living near the landslide zone as a precaution. These evacuees were moved to safer barangays nearby. Local officials continue to monitor the situation closely while coordinating relief efforts to support affected families.
Heavy rains have caused multiple landslides in Leyte recently, raising alarms across the region. Residents are urged to stay alert and follow safety advisories issued by local disaster management teams.
For more news and updates on landslide hits Southern Leyte town, visit Filipinokami.com.
