‘Jolina’ triggers flooding, affects 90 families in NegOcc

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Tropical Storm “Jolina” affected at least 90 families or 83 individuals, while 19 houses were damaged in the central and southern parts of Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

Based on a report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) released on Wednesday by Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, head of Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), the flood affected 19 families or 56 individuals in Barangay Robles, La Castellana town.

Two houses were destroyed, and 16 others were damaged in the town, as well as portion of a river wall.

Mud and stone debris also blocked the Mansalanao national highway but was cleared later that day.

A video showing a house made of light materials being swept by strong river current at an overflow in Barangay Robles was posted by a netizen on social media.

A couple and their children, who were asleep when the heavy downpour occurred, fortunately survived after they were able to go out before the river flood washed away their house situated on a riverbank at Bonifacio Street, Extension.

Another video also showed a kitchen of a house being swept away by the swollen river flood.

In Isabela town, three families or eight individuals in Barangay Tinongan, and four families or 19 individuals in Barangay 5 were evacuated.

In Pontevedra town, seven families in Barangay Cambarus, and 57 others in Barangay San Isidro were also affected by the flood caused by the heavy downpour.

In Hinigaran town, a house was damaged, while two big narra trees were uprooted that temporarily blocked the national road and affected power supply. One of the trees also damaged a waiting shed in the area.

A landslide was also reported in Barangay Payao, Binalbagan town.

No injuries were reported as of this writing.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has lifted the suspension of sea trips from Escalante City and Sagay City to Tabuelan, Cebu, and vice-versa.