Five of six provinces in Eastern Visayas region were placed by their respective provincial boards under a state of calamity as Tropical Storm “Urduja” (international name: Kai-tak) swept through central Philippines, dumping heavy rains that triggered flash floods and landslides. The declaration covered the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. Nine people were killed in Leyte, three in Eastern Samar and two in Samar. Reports from the Eastern Visayas police said at least 18 bodies had been retrieved in Barangay Lucsoon in Naval town, Biliran. He ordered the immediate repair of the main bridge connecting Biliran to Leyte and the rest of Eastern Visayas.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 19, 2017 21:11 UTC