Fifteen local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental were affected by flooding due to intense rains brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat and enhanced by Tropical Storm “Ferdie,” the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) said.
PDMPD head Irene Bel Ploteña said the LGUs that experienced the effects of habagat are the cities of Bago, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Sipalay, and Bago, as well as the municipalities of San Enrique, Valladolid, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, Cauayan, Ilog, Hinoba-an, and Moises Padilla, and capital Bacolod City.
A total of 13,780 families or 41,319 individuals from 76 barangays across the province were affected, Ploteña added.
At least 1,985 families or 6,544 persons remained inside evacuation centers over the weekend, while 197 families or 638 individuals stayed in other houses or with relatives.
The PDMPD monitored six areas flooded, two landslides and two fallen trees, while three houses were destroyed and 69 were partially damaged due to the inclement weather.
At least 26 LGUs declared suspension of classes, data added.
Meanwhile, 482 families or 1,589 individuals in Bacolod evacuated to various evacuation centers on Saturday, September 14, but 171 families or 582 individuals returned home hours later.
Among the evacuees, 21 were from Barangay Alijis, 436 were from Sum-ag, 245 were from Pahanocoy, six were from Cabug, 68 were from Taculing, 22 were from Singcang, 205 were from Punta Taytay, and four were from Mansilingan.
Among those who returned were 108 individuals from Barangay Handumanan and 170 people from Barangay 39.
Nine out of 61 barangays in the city have been flooded since Friday night, September 13, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), “Ferdie” had already exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday afternoon.
However, its trough or extension and the southwest monsoon will still bring rains to the western portion of the country, including Negros Occidental, Pagasa said./WDJ