Preliminary Report on the February 17, 2006 Leyte, Philippines Landslide

Abstract

Following days of heavy rainfall, a large-scale landslide occurred in Southern Leyte Province, Philippines, burying almost the entire village of Guinsaugon and causing the death of more than 1000 people. The landslide, which occurred along the steep slope of Mt. Can-abag in the middle of the province, mobilized large amount of rocks and debris with estimated volume of about 10-15 million m^3. This paper discusses the results of the damage investigation conducted in the area after the disaster, with emphasis on the general features of the landslide and on the hydro-geological aspects of the disaster. Based on the observations made from the field investigation as well as additional information obtained from various sources, the main causes of the landslide are identified, and several sources of potential hazards are pointed out.