By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga and Jen Baylon

More than 15,000 residents from 11 barangays in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City are grappling with the severe water shortage due to the scorching heatwave.

In a radio interview over the weekend, Joefil Sombilon, head of the Himamaylan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’s Research and Planning Section, said 11 villages in the city have run out of potable water sources.

The affected barangays include Carabalan, San Antonio, Cabadiangan, Mahalang, To-oy, Nabalia-an, Su-ay, Cabanbanan, and Libacao.

Despite relying on deep wells for water supply, levels have drastically declined, exacerbating the crisis.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, local government water projects have also been hampered by the prolonged heatwave.

Assistance from the provincial government has been sought to provide adequate water rations for the affected residents.

Meanwhile, Himamaylan Mayor Raymund Tongson attributes the water shortage to the unusual hot weather conditions, which have resulted in the depletion of water supply from deep wells.

The city government has taken proactive measures to address the water shortage by securing a water filtration system which ensures clean and potable water supply.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental 5th district Congressman Emilio Yulo III emphasized that the water shortage is not an isolated incident but a widespread challenge across the province.

Efforts are underway to distribute potable water to affected communities, overseeing water stations drawing from deep wells.

Concerns about potential water-borne disease outbreaks loom large, prompting proactive measures to safeguard public health.

Yulo said residents in the district hope that the rain will come soon./DGB, JB, WDJ