CEBU CITY—Two sinkholes appeared in the towns of Badian and Alcantara in southern Cebu after Tropical Storm Seniang hit the area on Tuesday. Eddie Llamedo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 7 spokesman, said the sinkhole found in Barangay Manduyong, Badian, is 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep.
“Sinkholes may have opened up after Seniang struck Cebu. Sinkholes usually appear if there is ground shaking or earthquake and when the ground is oversaturated due to heavy rain,” Llamedo said.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Central Visayas (MGB 7), he said, recommended that the local governments and the police cordon off and monitor the sinkholes.
Families living within a 20-meter radius of the sinkholes have also been advised to relocate to safer areas.
Llamedo said that a team of geologists will assess the sinkholes.
Residents in Barangay Cabadiangan, Alcantara, also reported a sinkhole. Dominico Caburnay, Alacantara’s planning and development coordinator, said the sinkhole is estimated to be 30 feet deep.