By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The southwest monsoon or “habagat” that was further enhanced by Typhoon “Goring,” has wreaked havoc in Negros Occidental.

Irene Bel Ploteña, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head, said the estimated loss due to the adverse weather conditions in the province has reached a staggering P115,611,542.

Ploteña said a substantial P114.4 million loss is attributed to agriculture and fisheries, where approximately 3,197 hectares of crops, including 44 hectares of fishponds, have been damaged.

The PDMPD also revealed that at least 84 livestock were killed, which resulted in damage estimated at around P1.1 million to 24 households in six cities and municipalities.

Damage to rice, corn and high-value crops has affected 2,753 farmers in 48 barangays in nine localities.

Among the 16 local government units (LGUs) affected are the cities of Bago, Himamaylan, Silay, La Carlota, Talisay, and San Carlos, as well as the municipalities of Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Valladolid, Murcia, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Isabela, La Castellana, and E.B. Magalona.

On Tuesday night, August 29, the number of Negrenses affected by monsoon rains surged to 82,594 or 25,709 families, with 18,322 individuals evacuated while 8,771 took refuge in evacuation centers.

The destruction caused by fierce winds, floods and rain has led to the damage of 57 houses, of which, 16 were destroyed, while 41 were damaged.

At least 26 LGUs have suspended classes while 14 localities have postponed government work.

In Bacolod City, the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office revealed that 8,642 residents have been affected by the raging rain and floods, with 6,781 seeking refuge in evacuation centers.

Villages Sum-ag and Pahanocoy have declared a “state of calamity.”/DGB, WDJ