EARTHQUAKE AFTERMATH
(from Bandillo Batanes)

By the time you read this, the intensity-7 quake that hit Batanes last July 16, 2000 at 11:20 a.m. will be just a memory. But to those who are directly hit and those who were there when it happened, it remains as a shocking and frightening experience that will continue to haunt them in years to come.

With the dust finally setting, we can step in for a closer look at the details from PHILVOCS:

The epicenter of the earthquake was located at latitude 20.1 degrees north, longitude 122.1 degrees east. or just 43 kms. Southeast Basco. It had a strength of intensity-7 with magnitude of 6.4 .As of July 18, 2000, there have been 13 aftershocks ranging from intensity-2 up to 3, and the forecast is that there be more succeeding tremors that may last for a month.

All the towns were affected except the town of Itbayat, which felt just a slight tremor with no damages reported to life or property. The other five municipalities from Basco to Sabtang reported damages to properties:

In Basco, 1,250 families were affected; Mahatao, 351 families; Ivana, 110 families; Uyugan, 185; and Sabtang, 130. Seven person were injured in Basco, Mahatao had 5 injured, while Uyugan had four. As to the effects on lifelines such as power, water, communication, roads and bridges, Basco was hardest hit with the main pipeline from spring source to distribution water reservoir severely damaged due to landslides. Rehabilitation of the water system from Iraya, is expected to be completed by December of this year. The bridge in Tamulong is the only passable route, but a sizeable portion have been damaged by aftershocks. The national road from Basco to Uyugan also needs rehabilitation. While Mahatao roads and bridges need major repairs. Sabtang reported a malfunctioning communications system.

Mahatao reported that 30 hectares of root crops had been destroyed, with Basco and Uyugan reporting 15 hectares each. Ivana, Sabtang and Itbayat reported no damages to their farm crops.

A cause for concern is the possible reactivation of the dormant Mt. Iraya. The last explosion occurred about 400 years ago. PHILVOCS Chief Mr. Reynaldo Punongbayan informed the people that this was what happened to Mt. Pinatubo, which became active a few months after the devastating earthquake that claimed many lives in Bagiuo and Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija in 1990.