Heavy rains inundate

parts of Negros Occidental
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The heavy rains caused by Tropical Depression Falcon inundated parts of Negros Occidental yesterday, prompting some local government units to cancel classes. According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head, Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, classes on all levels in Murcia, Moises Padilla, Hinoba-an, San Enrique, Pontevedra, La Castellana, Valladolid, Candoni, Binalbagan, Ilog, EB Magalona, and Himamaylan City were canceled.
In addition, Caelian said flooding was reported in seven San Enrique barangays, while around nine Pontevedra families were evacuated due to rising water levels.
The PDRRMO head said Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered all DRRMOs in the province on alert and to activate their operation centers.
The governor also ordered the conduct of pre-emptive evacuations wherever necessary.
Caelian added, the Office of Civil Defense-Region VI placed all disaster risk reduction offices in the region on ‘blue alert’ status, which signals the second stage of a warning, wherein emergency preparations begin.
Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental commander, Lt. Senior Grade Rockcliff Buling, said sea trips in the province remained normal throughout the day but said they will immediately suspend trips if the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issues a gale warning.
As of 11:00 a.m. yesterday, Falcon was last spotted 510 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving west at 30 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts up to 70 kph.
Although the storm is tracking north of Luzon, a general flood advisory has been issued for the Western Visayas as the storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, or “habagat.”/DGB, WDJ