Storm waves wash into Jagna houses

JAGNA – TIDES and unusually large swells spawned by two passing typhoons and complicated by an active southwest monsoon breached and damaged at least three houses along the sea along Jagna breakwater, a phenomenon many believe as once in a life-time occurrence. With the swells and waves smashing into houses, people here think that global warming could have done this.

August 10 and 11's record high tides and the devastating four-feet swells caused by passing typhoons and the southwest monsoon spawned sea disturbances not only washed out three houses, it also shook and damaged several houses along the breakwater. With tides reaching 2.0 meters at 11:51 and 12:51 the following day, the sea swells capping at four feet has practically breached house floors, from an ordinary tidal movement along the Jagna coast. Exactly when the tide has risen to its full height, the fury of a sea spawned by passing typhoons and the active southwest monsoon smashed on the breakwater.

In the afternoon, when the barrage of the waves let up with the receding tides, Civil Defense Deputy Coordinator (CDDC) Eli Doria responded to the call of the affected people of Pangdan. In Pangdan, Doria noted a damaged house with two houses heavily damaged by the washing waves. In Can-upao and Pagina, the damage was less pronounced. After investigation and interviews with victims, he submitted his findings to the municipal disasters coordinating council (MDCC) chair Mayor Exuperio Lloren.

Mayor Lloren then activated the council to cause the giving of relief goods to the affected families. With the incident, the ODD deputized agent then advised the people living near low-lying areas to temporarily transfer to elevated areas.

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