By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Occidental and the Negros Island Region (NIR) are now under heightened alert as heavy to intense rainfall is expected due to Tropical Depression “Verbena” until Wednesday noon, November 26.
Based on the rainfall advisory issued yesterday, Negros Occidental — along with Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Surigao provinces, and parts of the Bicol Region — will experience 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall until noon today.
From Tuesday noon, November 25, to Wednesday noon, Negros Occidental remains on the list of areas forecast to receive heavy to intense rainfall, alongside Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, and Iloilo.
Pagasa’s forecast shows “Verbena” will cross through Cebu before entering NIR early Tuesday, with a possible exit via northern Negros.
“Verbena” packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 75 kph.
It was moving west-northwestward at 30 kph.
The state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned that rainfall amounts in elevated and mountainous areas may exceed projections, with impacts worsened by previous days’ accumulated rainfall.
Pagasa said “flooding is possible in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.”
“The public and the disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to monitor the weather conditions and watch for the next warning to be issued,” the Pagasa advisory said.
Northern Negros Occidental was under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 yesterday, as winds of up to 61 kilometers per hour may be expected in at least 36 hours, with potential impacts of minimal to minor threat to life and property.
Preemptive evacuation
Meanwhile, the developing weather disturbance prompted the Negros Occidental provincial government to mandate preemptive evacuation of residents living in all low-lying and high-risk flood areas.
Executive Order No. 25-24, signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, directs all city and municipal mayors to immediately conduct preemptive evacuation in:
* Flood-prone areas identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau
* Landslide- and storm-surge-prone communities
* All areas deemed high-risk by Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils
The order authorizes forced evacuation when residents refuse to leave despite imminent danger.
The provincial government, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, will augment local government units (LGUs) with logistics, personnel and support in coordination with the various agencies and barangay officials.
LGUs must also activate evacuation centers equipped with food, water, medicines, electricity, and sanitation, following national camp coordination and camp management guidelines.
Disaster management offices have been urged to take “all necessary measures to protect life and property.”
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Bel Ploteña said the province has completed its pre-disaster risk assessment with provincial offices, while coordination with LGUs continues.
Search and rescue units have been prepositioned, food packs are ready, and engineering teams have deployed clearing equipment across the province.
“We have already identified what we need and what resources must be prepositioned. Our search and rescue teams, food packs and evacuation centers are ready. Right now, we are preparing everything required,” Ploteña said.
Ploteña said LGUs were instructed to review and finalize their preparedness plans; clear waterways and drainage channels; coordinate closely with barangays; identify and prepare evacuation areas; alert communities located in flood-prone zones.
“As much as possible, preemptive evacuation is needed,” she emphasized./CJ, WDJ