Heavy rains force evacuation of over 100 families

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Heavy rains triggered by a low pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon, or habagat, led to the evacuation of more than 100 families and the suspension of classes in parts of southern Negros Occidental.

As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported a total of 106 affected families.

These include 43 families (126 individuals) from Barangays 1 and Dancalan in Ilog; 11 families (34 individuals) from Barangay Guiljungan in Cauayan; and 52 families (110 individuals) from Barangays Gil Montilla and Mambaroto in Sipalay City.

Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), said some families in Sipalay and Ilog were preemptively evacuated on Tuesday due to isolated flooding.

A rain-induced rockslide was also reported in Barangay 4, Sipalay City, but the affected road has since been cleared and is now passable.

Ploteña added that riverbank erosion in Sipalay has raised concerns, prompting local officials to assess the area for preventive measures.

The PDRRMO remains on heightened alert as monitoring continues.

Donato Sermeno, director of the Office of Civil Defense – Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR), said rains are expected to continue through Thursday, with Negros Occidental under a yellow rainfall alert.

Under this alert level, flooding is possible in low-lying areas and near river channels, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In response to the continued downpour, 12 local government units (LGUs) suspended classes on Wednesday, Aug. 27, across all levels in public and private schools.

The affected LGUs include the towns of La Castellana, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Candoni, Ilog, Cauayan, Isabela, Moises Padilla and Binalbagan, and the cities of Kabankalan, Sipalay and Himamaylan.