Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September, 17)— A landslide on Tuesday destroyed four houses and hurt one person after a retaining wall collapsed in a coastal village in Samar, authorities said Tuesday.
The landslide happened around 10 a.m. in Purok 5, Barangay Mercedes in Catbalogan City, local officials said in an initial report.
Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy has ordered a force evacuation of at least 40 families from Purok 5 due to heavy rainfall triggered by Tropical Depression ‘Marilyn’ that weakened into a low pressure area before it exited the country on Saturday evening.
Affected residents have sought shelter from the City Evacuation Center in Barangay Payao.
Investigators are looking into the cause of wall collapse, Police Staff Sergeant Christopher Prudenciado of the Catbalogan City Police Station said.
Initial findings show the heavy rain may have caused a crack on the retaining wall.
In 2014, a tropical storm-induced landslide in Barangay Mercedes killed at least 19 people.
Journalist Wilmark Ali contributed to this report.
