Surigao evacuation starts as Typhoon Yolanda approaches

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - The city government of Surigao thru the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) began evacuating hundreds of people in areas prone to floods and landslides on Thursday ahead of a powerful typhoon that has gained strength over the Pacific. As of noontime today, CDRRMC reported at least 183 families or 233 individuals from barangay Taft have evacuated at the Mariano Espina Memorial Central Elementary School. Nine families or 56 individuals from barangay Washington took shelter at the barangay Washington Gym and 15 families or 58 individuals from barangay Sabang were evacuated at the city gymnasium. Typhoon Yolanda is expected to make landfall in the Eastern Samar by Friday and dump more rain on its nearby provinces, said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The state bureau has placed the city under signal number 3 in its 11 a.m. bulletin today. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)