CDRRMO: No casualties, child drowning falsely reported
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Based on an official report by the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), at least 22 areas of Bacolod City were affected by last Friday’s heavy downpour, caused by a low pressure area (LPA) and southwest monsoon.
According to the report, which was released over the weekend, the hardest hit areas include Barangays 27, 28, 35, 39, 40, 41, Alijis, Banago, Singcang-Airport, Taculing, Pahanocoy, Mansilingan, Mandalagan, and Tangub.
Initial records also indicated at least one house was swept away by flood waters, while another was heavily damaged due to a fallen tree.
The CDRRMO also clarified, the child that reportedly drowned in Purok Mars was false and the residents of the said area were evacuated before flood waters reached their homes.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered a forced evacuation in flood prone areas late Friday evening due to an expected high tide, however it was cancelled by early Saturday morning.
The Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) also reported more of the city’s power supply was restored by Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, based on data released by non-government weather agency Weather Philippines Foundation, Bacolod City recorded a staggering 104.2mm of rainfall within a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday.
The foundation estimated the total amount of accumulation is equal to around 4,279,587,248 gallons of water./DGB, WDJ