SURFACE RUPTURE. Some of the houses that were destroyed after ground ruptured in Lopez, Quezon.
Ground rupture damages houses in Quezon town
LOPEZ, Quezon – Around 35 houses were damaged when the big part of the ground at Purok 2 in Bgy. Matinik in this town suddenly ruptured on Saturday night.
According to the residents, they felt the earth suddenly move, prompting them to run out of their houses.
Residents then saw the concrete walls and foundations of their residences cracked and some part being swallowed by the ground.
Several houses were totally destroyed while some toppled.
More than 51 families or 164 affected individuals are now taking shelter at the barangay hall and village health center.
No one was reported injured.
Rodel Libranda said the train tracks that run along the town were misaligned. The road rose from being flat.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO)- Quezon and the provincial government is now conducting a thorough study of what had happened.
PDDRMO- Quezon head Dr. Mel Avenilla advised the affected residents not to return to their houses due to another possible movement of the ground.
Avenilla said it is also dangerous to use the highway, which also sustained cracks.
The road from Bgy. Matinik towards Bgy. Tabuan was almost gone due to ground movement.
Former kagawad Juvy Cabildo said the incident happened around 9 p.m. on Saturday.
According to her, the ground began to rumble and they heard a sound similar to fireworks.
Moments later, she said portions of the ground began to lift or sink and the concrete walls and posts of the houses started to crack.
Quezon Gov. Angelina “Doktora Helen” Tan immediately instructed engineer Rodel Florido of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 4th Engineering District to help the affected families and conduct an inspection of the roads and highway.
Florido said signages and cordons were installed in the affected areas to prevent the residents from returning to their houses.
