No Bridge, No Choice: Teachers Forced to Swim Home Amid Typhoon Verbena’s Fury
VERBENA – A viral video has captured the terrifying moment when several teachers were forced to cross and swim through raging floodwaters as Typhoon Verbena pummeled Southern Leyte.
Several teachers in Bontoc, Southern Leyte, risked their safety on Monday afternoon as they crossed and swam through powerful floodwaters at the height of tropical depression Verbena. A video circulating online shows the educators wading through the dangerous current in Barangay Malbago, determined to make it home despite the life-threatening situation.
According to one of the teachers, classes had been suspended earlier in the day due to the approaching storm. They were on their way home from school when they found themselves stranded, with no safe passage available. Their temporary bridge, the only route connecting them to their homes, had been washed away by the strong floods brought about by continuous rainfall.
The teacher added that their concrete bridge had already been destroyed during the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. Since then, residents have relied on a makeshift wooden bridge as a temporary solution. Unfortunately, Typhoon Verbena’s heavy rains and strong currents destroyed this replacement as well, leaving the community isolated once again.
With the rains showing no sign of letting up, many residents were forced to evacuate out of fear that the floodwaters could rise even further. The situation has only worsened in recent weeks, as the barangay continues to experience power outages following consecutive storms. For weeks, the community has been functioning without electricity, adding to the difficulty of communication and daily living.
Teachers and residents alike are now appealing for urgent assistance. They are hoping that authorities will take notice of their worsening situation—particularly the destruction of their bridge, which is crucial for mobility, access to schools, and emergency response. They are also calling for the immediate restoration of electricity, which they say is essential for their recovery from the recent disasters.
As Southern Leyte continues to endure the aftermath of Typhoon Verbena, affected communities like Barangay Malbago are left struggling but hopeful that support will arrive soon. Their resilience, especially the teachers who braved dangerous waters just to get home, highlights both the challenges they face and the strength they continue to show amid adversity.
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