By CESAR JOLITO III

Heavy rains over the weekend triggered another blockage of volcanic sediments at Tamburong Creek in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town, causing flooding that forced the evacuation of 17 families in Barangay Biak na Bato on Sunday, September 21.

John de Asis, head of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the creek, earlier cleared of volcanic sediments washed down from Kanlaon Volcano, was again silted after continuous rains caused soil erosion and avulsion along the riverbank.

The creek, which previously measured eight meters wide, has now expanded to 53 meters — almost the size of a football field — after riverbanks collapsed due to strong water flow.

“The water overflowed north of the Tamburong Bridge, leading to flooding in nearby homes,” De Asis explained.

Barangay Kagawad Allan Tomaquin, currently acting barangay captain, said sand and debris previously cleared were swept back into the creek, worsening the situation.

The 17 affected families have since returned home after floodwaters subsided.

Meanwhile, the provincial government has dispatched additional heavy equipment to sustain clearing operations.

Seven machines are currently dredging the creek, supported by 13 dump trucks hauling sediments to the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park compound./CJ, WDJ