By JEN BAYLON
Twenty-two local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental were under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 yesterday due to Tropical Storm “Kristine.”
In a weather bulletin as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over LGUs in the northern portion of Negros Occidental, such as the cities of Bago, La Carlota, Silay, Talisay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, and San Carlos City, the towns of Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Murcia, E.B. Magalona, Manapla, Toboso, Calatrava, and Don Salvador Benedicto, as well as capital Bacolod City.
Areas under TCWS No. 1 will expect strong winds coming from northeasterly windflow enhanced by “Kristine.”
“Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible,” Pagasa said in an advisory.
The tropical cyclone warning was also hoisted over Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and the northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso town, and the cities of Canlaon and Guihulngan).
Meanwhile, 764 families or 2,811 residents in Negros Occidental have been affected by flooding brought by Tropical Storm “Kristine” since Sunday night, October 20.
Latest data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as of 4:00 p.m. yesterday showed 64 families or 162 individuals are currently housed in evacuation centers across the province.
Nineteen barangays in six LGUs reported significant impacts from floods, data added.
Ten flooded areas and four landslides were recorded.
Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), said power interruptions have also been reported in Don Salvador Benedicto, Sipalay and La Castellana.
Authorities said the number of affected families and evacuees is expected to rise as the weather conditions continue to worsen, with persistent rains and potential flooding posing further risks.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant against floods and landslides triggered by the inclement weather, and to stay informed and prepared for possible evacuations.
The PDRRMO remains on high alert and closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, suspension of in-person classes at all levels was declared in 25 LGUs, such as the cities of Bago, La Carlota, Silay, Talisay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, San Carlos, as well as the towns of Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Murcia, E.B. Magalona, Manapla, Toboso, Calatrava, and Don Salvador Benedicto, and Bacolod.
In its weather bulletin, Pagasa said “Kristine” had intensified into a severe tropical storm yesterday.
Its center was estimated at 175 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela province, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph, while moving westward at 20 kph.
The weather disturbance is forecast to further intensify until it makes landfall on Thursday night, October 24, it added.
TCWS No. 3 is being hoisted in many provinces in Luzon and Visayas.
“Kristine” may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday, October 25, Pagasa said.
Evacuated
At least 377 individuals or 129 families from three barangays in Bacolod City are still staying in evacuation centers, the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) reported yesterday.
Barangay Sum-ag has the highest number of evacuees, DSSD data showed.
Currently, 111 families or 356 individuals are temporarily staying at Sum-ag Elementary School.
In Barangay Singcang-Airport, four families comprising 16 individuals, are currently staying at the evacuation center.
Two families or five individuals from Barangay Cabug are staying at the Barangay Cabug Health Center.
DSSD has also recorded two totally damaged houses and six others are partially damaged due to strong winds brought by the inclement weather.
Most of the affected residents have been evacuated from their homes since Monday, October 21, due to prolonged flooding./ With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ