Members of the Philippine Coast Guard – Negros Occidental rescued residents affected by massive flooding in the northern portion of the province. (PCG-Negros Occidental photos)
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
At least one person was confirmed dead while thousands of people have fled their homes between late Friday night and early Saturday morning after a second wave of flash floods struck the northern portion of Negros Occidental.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), the floods were triggered by heavy rains which began on Friday, January 8.
Based on data released by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last Friday, they forecasted that the tail-end of a frontal system could bring heavy rains to many parts of Luzon and Visayas.
On Friday night, due to the non-stop rains plus the impending high tide scheduled at around 1:35 a.m. of Saturday, authorities in the cities of Talisay, Silay and Victorias, and the town of E.B. Magalona called for a pre-emptive evacuation.
However, despite the authorities’ warnings, many were unable to flee in time and were trapped in their homes due to rising flood waters, some of which were described to be already neck-high.
A massive rescue effort was later launched in the affected areas participated by various government agencies such as the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices.
Based on data released by the PDMPD, a total of 2,964 families comprising 13,588 individuals from 16 barangays in Talisay City were evacuated.
Silay City, meanwhile, posted one casualty in the flood. Authorities identified the fatality as 43-year-old Marvito Yap Lumanog. The victim’s remains were found buried inside the remains of his house which collapsed due to the flood.
A total of 2,402 individuals were also affected in Silay, of which 1,941 were evacuated.
In the town of E.B. Magalona, at least three barangays were affected and several residents also fled to the town’s evacuation centers.
In Victorias City, around 5,985 individuals fled their homes after the Malogo River overflowed. It was also noted that the city’s relocation site was hard hit by the floods.
Aside from the third district, the town of Manapla and the cities of Cadiz, Sagay and Escalante also reported a flash flood.
The highway linking Escalante to San Carlos City was also impassable for both light and heavy vehicles for several hours.
Several residents in Escalante City’s Barangay Jonobjonob were also trapped and rescued by the authorities.
As of yesterday morning, most of the affected residents have already returned home after the floods subsided, however, authorities are still on alert as PAGASA is still forecasting cloudy skies with rain showers due to the tail-end of a frontal system.
Several non-government organizations in the province have also launched a relief effort for the affected residents.
To recall, earlier on New Year’s Day, the same areas in northern Negros were struck by flash floods which caused at least one fatality and also forcing local residents to flee their homes./DGB, WDJ