Some local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have initiated preemptive evacuation in preparation for the possible impacts of Tropical Depression “Basyang.”
As of 11:00 a.m. yesterday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still hoisted in Negros Occidental, including highly urbanized Bacolod City.
Down south, Kabankalan City is expected to start moving residents living in danger zones at 1:00 p.m.
In a Facebook Live, Mayor Benjie Miranda and his wife, Vice Mayor Divina Gracia Miranda, said they still observed light rain while driving through the city’s main streets in the morning.
“However, we should not be complacent. Preemptive evacuation is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. for residents living in high-risk areas,” they said.
Up north in Calatrava, Mayor Marilyn Era said some 248 individuals were already staying at the municipality’s main evacuation center yesterday morning.
“We will also open evacuation center ‘Bravo’ at Barangay Bantayanon,” the mayor said in a Facebook post.
In neighboring San Carlos City, Mayor Renato Gustilo issued on Thursday afternoon, February 5, a preemptive evacuation order to “barangays with residents who are at risk of flooding, landslide, storm surge, gale-force winds, and others.”
“The city government hereby reiterates its consistent adherence to protect life and property, and strongly commits to all proactive measures as part of the anticipatory action to reduce the risk or impacts of an impending disaster,” Gustilo said.
He added: “Potential flooding may occur due to heavy to intense rain and high sea level.”
In Hinigaran town, forced evacuation is also being implemented in identified high-risk areas in five barangays.
“Residents in these areas are strongly instructed to cooperate and follow evacuation directives from authorities. The general public is also encouraged to remain alert and proactive for everyone’s safety,” Mayor Mary Grace Arceo said in an advisory.
In Bacolod, where classes and government work have been suspended yesterday, the city government has prepared evacuation centers across its 61 barangays.
At the Provincial Capitol, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also ordered the suspension of work in all provincial government offices yesterday for the safety of its employees.
“However, offices involved in emergency response, disaster risk reduction and management, health and social welfare services, maintenance of peace and order, and other essential services shall continue to operate to ensure the safety and welfare of the public,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a Kanlaon Volcano lahar advisory at 10:30 a.m. as “Basyang” is expected to bring heavy to intense rains to Negros Island and the rest of the Visayas.
“This can generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, sediment-laden streamflows or muddy run-off and related siltation in rivers and drainage areas on Kanlaon Volcano, which is currently at Alert Level 2,” Phivolcs said. (PNA)