 |
| DPWH-8 has begun dredging operations along Burayan River to prevent overflow and alleviate flooding in several areas in Tacloban City, Leyte. Photo: DPWH-8 |
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 8 has taken action to prevent flooding in several areas in Tacloban City, Leyte, by commencing dredging operations along Burayan River on Saturday morning, January 14.
The regional office's Equipment Management Division (EMD) deployed an amphibious excavator to desilt the river.
According to DPWH 8 Regional Director Edgar B. Tabacon, the amphibious excavator is now operating and desilting the Burayan River to mitigate inundations in areas stretching from barangays San Jose, to Marasbaras, and all the way to V&G subdivision.
The dredging operation took advantage of the improved weather conditions over the weekend, and an estimated volume of 288 cubic meters of silted materials was removed during the non-stop 6-hour operation. The operation may continue to be carried out throughout the year.
Aside from the Burayan River, dredging operations along the Bangon River have been ongoing for more than 2 years, which has helped prevent flooding in the town of Palo, Leyte. These operations are part of the office's response to the recent flooding in the region due to LPA.
According to a report from DPWH 8 EMD Chief Alex S. Dagalea, 11 units of dredging equipment to desilt major waterways in the region are already operational. Amphibious excavators have been deployed to Sta. Sofia canal in Padre Burgos; Hilongos, Leyte; Mangonbangon River in Tacloban City, Leyte; Bangon River, Palo, Leyte; and in Canturing River in Maasin City, Southern Leyte. A Water Master Classic IV was also deployed to dredge Calbiga River in Calbiga, Samar, under corrective maintenance.
Since the beginning of the year, excessive rains have caused flooding, resulting in some major roads in the region being temporarily impassable to the traveling public.
As of January 16, 2023, at 8:00 AM, the following roads remain passable but with limited access due to road slips and soil erosion on some portions: Naval-Caibiran Cross Country Road at Sitio Macalpe, Biliran; Brgy. Mag-ubay, Calbayog City, Samar along Calbayog - Catarman Road; Brgy. Pagbalikan, Calbayog City, Samar along Calbayog Diversion Road; Brgy. Hibulangan, Villaba, Leyte along Sto. Rosario-Villaba Road; Brgy. San Miguel, San Isidro, Leyte along San Isidro-Daja Road; and in Brgy. Bukid, Las Navas, Northern Samar along Arteche-Jipapad-Las Navas-Rawis Road.