No word on last weekend’s flooding

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) yesterday said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has yet to declare the start of the rainy season.

CDRRMO cluster head, Executive Assistant Joemarie Vargas, said the rainy season should be officially declared sometime between this week and next month.

He pointed out, the heavy rains experienced in the city and other parts of Negros Occidental recently were mostly localized thunderstorms.

Vargas also said they are continuously monitoring the weather through the use of PAGASA’s doppler radar, which is based in Iloilo.

Meanwhile, following flooding reported in the city last Sunday, Vargas said he has yet to talk with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials regarding the flood control systems along Lacson Street.

Vargas pointed out during their previous meeting, DPWH affirmed the project would be finished on schedule, although he does not know the exact date of completion.

Earlier, CDRRMO started preparations for the rainy season by clearing the city’s drainage pipes.

During one of their clearing operations, the CDRRMO retrieved around 1,280 sacks of debris, which ranged from tree leaves to car tires.

Aside from clearing operations, CDRRMO also recently completed the installation of flood early warning systems along the city’s major rivers./DGB, WDJ