Damaged homes, property reported in Negros Occidental

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The enhanced monsoon rains brought about by Tropical Depression “Henry” caused damages to homes and property across Negros Occidental over the last three days.

According to Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head Zeaphard Caelian, around six homes were damaged in Valladolid due to wind surge; while heavy rains caused major traffic around Bacolod City late Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, in Moises Padilla, roads leading to Barangays Guinpana-an and Montilla were reported impassable; while one family in Barangay 7 Poblacion reportedly fled their home last Sunday after a creek in the area swelled due to heavy rains.

In addition, Binalbagan Barangays Teodoro, Marina, and San Vicente all reported flooding.

Caelian also estimated crop damage totaling P220,000.

In response, the Bacolod City DRRMO has deployed personnel to monitor main rivers in the city, although no evacuations have been declared.

Despite the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday reporting the storm had exited the Philippine area of responsibility, residents located along the western section of the country, including the Western Visayas, are still experiencing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

PAGASA also confirmed they are monitoring another low pressure area 915 kilometers east of Cagayan, which they believe may develop into another tropical depression within the next 36 hours./DGB, WDJ