The damage to agriculture caused by the effects of enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat in Negros Occidental has reached P149,738,745, data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) showed.
Rice, high-value crops and corn fields in 160 barangays sustained damage amounting to P146,184,459.28, data said.
The fisheries sector also suffered damage totaling P1,781,361, affecting 15 barangays, while livestock sustained losses amounting to P1,772,925.54.
Most local government units (LGUs) in the province experienced floods last week due to intense rains brought about by habagat enhanced by Tropical Storms “Ferdie” and “Helen,” and Tropical Depression “Gener.”
Meanwhile, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is closely monitoring diseases that may affect livestock following the heavy rains and floods.
PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana said the animals are likely to contract pneumonia because they are exposed to the cold.
They are also likely to suffer from skin diseases and infections due to the floods.
Lemana said several PVO personnel and paraveterinarians will conduct monitoring in barangays by giving medicines to affected animals if there is an available supply.
It was learned that the most affected livestock were chickens, where more than 1,000 died, particularly in the 4th District and some portions of the 1st and 3rd Districts.
205,000 affected
Meanwhile, a total of 205,230 residents or 56,502 families have been affected by floods due to intense rains and inclement weather in the province last week, PDRRMC data as of 6:00 p.m. showed.
At least 261 barangays in 25 LGUs have been impacted by the severe weather conditions, PDRRMC data added.
A total of 1,854 families or 7,936 individuals were still inside evacuation centers, while 617 families or 1,986 persons are taking shelter with their relatives.
Forty-six houses were destroyed while 989 others were partially damaged, data showed.
Two individuals died from flooding, the PDRRMC said.
No injuries have been reported.
The adverse weather conditions have triggered 29 flooded areas, nine rain-induced landslides, and three fallen trees, data showed.
Valladolid under state of calamity
The municipality of Valladolid was placed under a state of calamity following the approval of a resolution during a special session on Friday, September 20.
Vice Mayor Roel Yogore said numerous residents and farmers were severely affected by flooding caused by heavy rains brought by habagat in recent days.
Floods have affected 9,255 families composed of 27,765 individuals in Valladolid, the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division said.
Four houses were destroyed, while 184 were damaged.
The worst-hit areas include Barangays Mabini, Tabao, Ayungon, and Alijis, which experienced flooding.
La Carlota City and the municipalities of Hinigaran and San Enrique were earlier placed under a state of calamity due to intense rain-induced floods.
Earlier, the provincial government was studying if a state of calamity could be declared in Negros Occidental following widespread rains and floods due to monsoon rains last week.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the PDRRMC is assessing the damage brought by heavy rains in the past three days to declare the province under a state of calamity./WDJ