320 families displaced by Bacolod flooding

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 320 families, or 1,038 individuals, were affected by flash floods in Bacolod City on Saturday due to continuous torrential rains brought by a shear line.

The city government said several rivers overflowed after heavy rainfall from mountainous and eastern portions of the city caused floodwaters to rise rapidly.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported evacuations in several barangays on Saturday night as floodwaters continued to rise.

Affected barangays included Bata, Barangay 40, Mansilingan, Barangays 3, 20, 35, 36 and 18, as well as Alijis, Barangay 2, Montevista, Singcang-Airport, Barangay 39 and Taculing.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued a yellow heavy rainfall warning advisory for Bacolod City at 8 p.m. Saturday due to the shear line affecting parts of the country.

Personnel from the City Engineer’s Office Rapid Drainage Response Team were deployed to clear and declog major roads and streets affected by flooding to help ensure the free flow of water.

The disaster office also closely monitored water levels in the city’s rivers and creeks, particularly during peak high tide, until conditions later subsided.

Mayor Greg Gasataya urged residents to remain vigilant, closely monitor flood conditions in their communities and move to evacuation areas at the first sign of danger.

As of Saturday noon, evacuees had returned to their homes, and the city had distributed relief goods to affected residents.