MANILA,
Philippines—As if earthquakes were not enough, incessant bad weather
has been wreaking havoc in
provinces in the Visayas, Mindanao and the Bicol region the past four days,
killing two, injuring six and causing the evacuation of 569 people.
“Rain as well as
earth tremors, whether these may be light or moderate, must be
taken seriously. Rain could weaken the soil, while tremors could produce
slope instability, tension cracks and fractures that could enhance
the vulnerability of areas to landslides,” Environment Secretary
Ramon Paje said. The warning came a week after the magnitude-6.9 quake rocked
the province, killing over 70 people, and burying towns and damaging roads.
Yesterday, the weather bureau warned of widespread rains in the province
due to a low pressure area in Mindanao.
Five barangays
(villages) in Guihulngan City are highly susceptible to rain-induced
landslides, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said. Much
soil erosion occurred along the highway. In Davao City, six persons were
injured when a wall collapsed on them after rains softened its foundation. At
least five barangays have had no power for two weeks now since floods felled
power lines, according the Mayor.
Local disaster
councils in these towns and three other cities were advised to go on high
alert and to prepare residents of low-lying and landslide-prone
areas for possible evacuation.
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VOCABULARY
1.
Incessant
(v) - continuing without stopping [= constant]:
2.
Wrecking
(v) - damaging something such as a building or vehicle so badly
that it cannot be repaired:
3.
Havoc
(n) - a situation in which there is a lot of damage or a lack of order,
especially so that it is difficult for something to continue in the normal way
4.
Tremors
(n) - a small earthquake
5.
Instability
(n) - when a situation is not certain because there is the possibility of
sudden change
6.
Vulnerability
(adj.) - easily harmed
7.
Widespread
(adj.) - existing or happening in many places or situations, or among many
people
8.
Susceptible
(adj.) - likely to be affected by a particular problem
9.
Felled
(v) - to cut down
10.
Prone
(adj.) - likely to suffer from something, especially something bad or
harmful
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Have you heard about the earthquake in the
Southern Philippines?
2.
Talk about natural calamities/disasters.
3.
How should we prepare and handle situations like
this?
4.
Share your experience/s about earthquake or
typhoons.
