Early warning, rescue equipment needed

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head

Dr. Zeaphard Caelian is asking for additional early warning and rescue equipment after the recent flooding in northern Negros that claimed the lives of three persons and displaced 76,000 individuals.

Caelian said PDMPD rain and river gauges were filled to the brim during the heavy rains last week.

The province’s solar-powered rain gauge from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also did not work due to lack of sunlight.

Caelian added that he already ordered for the repairs of the weather monitoring equipment which would help them with early warning responses.

Additional early warning system devices from the DOST and a backup power system for the existing solar-powered monitoring equipment were also requested.

Caelian also said they asked for additional rescue equipment from the Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee to help local government units in Negros Occidental in rescue operations.

He admitted that they had a hard time responding to the affected residents due to lack of equipment.

Last week, thousands of people in northern Negros fled their homes after non-stop rain caused flash floods in the province’s 3rd and 2nd districts in northern Negros.