By CESAR JOLITO III

Heavy rains caused severe flooding across 16 barangays in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City over the weekend, leaving behind extensive damage to properties and livestock, and affecting over 15,000 residents.

According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, eight houses were totally destroyed, while 33 others were partially damaged due to the floodwaters on Friday night, July 11, which persisted until dawn the following day.

Among the major losses in livestock were 239 chickens valued at P330,900, and 38 pigs worth P484,000, bringing the estimated damage to livestock to over P800,000.

City Social Welfare Officer Dionela Madrona reported that 3,121 families or 15,605 individuals were directly affected by the flooding.

Many evacuees are currently taking temporary shelter in the Talisay City Public Plaza, covered courts and day care centers.

The city government has distributed food packs and other essential supplies to displaced families.

Talisay Mayor Rowena Lopez-Lizares attributed the flooding primarily to clogged waterways, saying that the accumulation of garbage and debris worsened the impact of the continuous rainfall.

She urged residents to properly dispose of waste and to remain vigilant during the rainy season, especially with more rains expected in the coming weeks.

At least 2,142 families in 10 barangays were affected by floods, the City Social Welfare and Development Office reported.

Among the affected were 682 families in Zone 14, 480 families in Zone 14-A, 389 families in Zone 14-B, 300 families in Zone 10, 120 families in Zone 2, 60 families in Zone 3, 52 families in Zone 8, 32 families in Zone 15, 10 families in Zone 12, and five families in Zone 5./CJ, WDJ