More than 2,000 families, composed of 6,180 residents, were affected by flash floods due to the combined effects of Tropical Depression “Romina” and a shearline that inundated four local government units in northern Negros Occidental on Sunday night, December 22.
Data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), as of 11:00 a.m. yesterday, showed 1,842 families, composed of 5,528 individuals, in five villages in Cadiz City were affected by floods caused by more than four hours of rain.
Of the number, 2,118 residents were from Barangay Burgos; 2,102 from Barangay Daga; 722 from Barangay Luna; 423 from Barangay Caduha-an; and 163 from Barangay Andres Bonifacio.
Residents in Villa Sagrado and Sitio Uso in Burgos were the hardest hit by floods, reaching the roofs of their houses as they stayed there until they were rescued at midnight.
Some residents sought temporary shelter at evacuation centers in four villages in the city.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. said the affected families from Burgos were able to return home after the floodwaters subsided.
“The village chief said that in less than five minutes, the waters rose, so they were not able to prepare,” Escalante said in a radio interview.
“Residents said it was a flash flood. It happened really fast. Almost half of the housing project area has been submerged,” he added.
Escalante said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the City Social Welfare and Development Office are now on top of the situation.
“We are addressing now all the needs of our evacuees, especially food,” Escalante said.
“We are hoping that floodwaters will subside faster this day so they can go back to their respective homes as soon as possible,” he added.
The mayor also expressed sadness at the unexpected situation three days before Christmas.
In Victorias City, 10 families, composed of 37 residents, from Barangays 6, 7 and 21 were also evacuated due to flash floods, PDRRMC data showed.
“Most of the affected families have been able to return home after the floodwaters subsided,” Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent Manapla town, 170 residents or 41 families from Barangay 1-A, including 11 subvillages, were affected by the massive flooding.
At least 64 families from Barangay 2; 48 families in Punta Mesa; 39 families from Barangay Tortosa; 19 families from Barangay Sta. Teresa; and three families from Barangay Purisima were also affected by flash floods.
They were brought to evacuation centers in five schools and a gymnasium, initial reports said.
Personnel from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection in Bacolod City, and Bacolod City Maritime Police Station conducted rescue operations in Cadiz’s Barangay Burgos, as well as in Manapla’s Barangay 1-A.
In Sagay City, seven families or 29 individuals from Barangay Paraiso were evacuated following the floods, data added./ With reports from PNA / WDJ