BUTUAN CITY – Aftershocks continue to rattle residents of Surigao City that was hit by a magnitude-6.7 earthquake last February 10.
A magnitude-4.6 earthquake struck Surigao City at 5:18 p.m. last Friday and was felt as far away as Misamis Oriental.
Its epicenter was 22 kilometers southwest of Surigao City with a shallow depth of two kilometers, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
It was recorded at Intensity 5 in Surigao City, Intensity 4 in Sison, Surigao del Norte, Intensity 3 in Alegria, Surigao del Norte and San Jose, Dinagat, and Intensity 2 in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
Two hours later, a magnitude-2.8 earthquake struck Surigao City and its epicenter was traced 15 kms northeast with a depth of 26 kms.
The continuous aftershocks have prompted residents of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City to go to high and safer grounds instead of their homes.
Meanwhile, relief operations for both flood and earthquake victims in the Caraga continue. Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Butuan City, and Agusan del Norte have been flooded due to non-stop rains since Wednesday caused by the tail-end of a cold front. (Mike U. Crismundo)