At least 370 residents from five local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental sought temporary shelter in evacuation centers yesterday due to inclement weather caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by Tropical Storm “Bebinca” (international name).
Data from the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) as of 12:00 noon yesterday showed 655 individuals, or 232 families, from 16 barangays in the province were affected by flash floods and landslides due to heavy rains brought by habagat.
Fourteen affected families composed of 55 residents were outside evacuation centers, PDMPD data added.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in its advisory yesterday, said “Bebinca” was downgraded into a storm, but it continues to enhance habagat that will bring intense rains.
Pagasa said “Bebinca,” located 1,500 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) yesterday afternoon, but will remain far from landmass.
It was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph), with gustiness of up to 105 kph, and it was moving north-northwestward at 20 kph.
The tropical storm will be seen to exit PAR early Saturday morning, September 14.
Pagasa said habagat is expected to bring heavy to intense rains over Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, which will trigger flash floods and landslides.
Class suspensions
Meanwhile, 28 LGUs in the province, including capital Bacolod City, suspended classes yesterday.
The LGUs that suspended classes yesterday were the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias, as well as the municipalities of Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Manapla, E.B. Magalona, Murcia, Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, Ilog, Candoni, Cauayan, and Hinoba-an.
Some schools shifted to alternative learning modalities, based on announcements.
In Bacolod, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the suspension of classes from pre-school to senior high in both public and private schools in the city yesterday due to heavy rains and flooding.
“As for the college level, cancellation will be at the prerogative of their respective schools,” Benitez said in a statement.
The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos announced yesterday its cancellation of classes at all levels.
The University of St. La Salle suspended classes from pre-school to senior high school, while classes for the college level will shift to asynchronous learning.
In Negros Oriental, Governor Manuel Sagarbarria ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools as well as work in the provincial government due to severe torrential rain and flooding.
Executive Order No. 51 follows the guidelines set under Presidential Executive Order No. 66, which allows local officials to suspend classes and government work in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from Pagasa.
The order was issued in consultation with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other relevant agencies.
Sagarbarria said heavy rains have increased the risk of flooding in low-lying areas, prompting the need for an immediate disaster response.
As the flooding situation continues to affect many areas, the provincial government urges the public to stay alert and follow advisories./ With Jen Baylon / WDJ