By JEN BAYLON
The Medina Water Treatment Facility, a major water source in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City, has been severely damaged due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall on Sunday, February 23.
San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo confirmed that the facility’s water intake system was compromised, leading to water supply disruptions in several subdivisions.
Gustilo said facility engineers have assessed the damage and estimate that repairs could take up to a week.
However, they aim to restore service within three to four days.
Gustilo clarified that a separate water supply facility serves the city proper, minimizing the impact on those areas.
“Due to the downfall of rain, nagbaha. Sa bukid naghalin ang tubig. Nag-overflow man siya sa Barangay 5 and 6. Dali lang man ang pagbaha, indi man gid lawig,” Gustilo said.
“Cut off subong ang water source. Temporarily, ma-install sang intake water para maka-operate ang system,” he added.
Meanwhile, Joe Recalex Alingasa, head of the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), reported that nearly 4,000 consumers — approximately 40 percent of the total 10,500 served by the Medina facility — are experiencing “low pressure to no water flows.”
To address the immediate needs of affected residents, water tankers have been deployed by the CDRRMO and the Bureau of Fire Protection to provide essential water supplies.
300 residents affected
Heavy rains caused landslides and floods in some portions of San Carlos on Sunday, impacting nearly 300 residents.
Alingasa said heavy rains started at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, with light to moderate rains experienced in the city proper, while heavy to torrential rains or very strong rains in the mountainous portions.
Alingasa said a family of five members lost their house after it was hit by a landslide on the Upper Eco-Translink Highway in Barangay Rizal.
They survived because they evacuated immediately after noticing the cracking of the ground, he added.
Meanwhile, Barangay 1 experienced flooding after the Palampas River overflowed, affecting 45 families or 180 individuals.
Barangay 5 also experienced flooding due to rising waters from Ando-on Creek, with 28 families or 112 individuals affected.
Alingasa noted that both barangays are prone to flooding.
Residents immediately returned home after the water receded, he said./JB, WDJ