By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a general flood advisory yesterday morning for the entire Western Visayas due to the presence of a low pressure area.

Based on weather bureau data, around 3:00 a.m., a low pressure area was spotted 1,240 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.

Meteorologists said the weather system is enhancing the southwest monsoon in southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Due to the possibility of moderate to heavy rains in the region, PAGASA advised local disaster risk reduction management offices to monitor the main tributaries and rivers in their respective areas.

Among the rivers currently being monitored in Negros Occidental are the Malogo, Sicaba, Grande, Himocaan, Danao, Upper Tyabanan, Sipalay, and Lower Ilog.

People living in the mountains were also warned of possible landslides.

Earlier this week, several areas of Bacolod City were inundated due to nonstop rains caused by an enhanced southwest monsoon brought about by a typhoon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Around seven areas in the city experienced flooding that ranged in depths from “ankle level” to around 0.5 meters./DGB, WDJ