Over 1,000 Evacuate as Flash Floods Hit Negros

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY—More than 1,000 residents were displaced by flash floods that struck three areas in northern Negros Occidental on Sunday night.

In Cadiz City, 1,700 residents from five villages were rescued after over four hours of rainfall caused by Tropical Depression Romina and the shear line.

Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. expressed sadness over the calamity, which happened just three days before Christmas.

Data from the Cadiz City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) showed 1,200 residents affected in Barangay Burgos, 200 in Barangay Luna, 210 in Barangay Andres Bonifacio, and 60 each in Barangays Mabini and Daga.

The CDRRMO reported that Villa Sagrado, Sitio Uso, in Barangay Burgos was among the hardest-hit areas. Some residents sought refuge on their rooftops until they were rescued around midnight.

Floodwaters also rendered Uso Bridge in Barangay Burgos and Umapoy and Troso areas in Barangay Daga impassable around midnight.

Escalante said the CDRRMO and the City Social Welfare and Development Office are addressing the evacuees’ needs.

“We are prioritizing food and other essentials for the evacuees and hoping that floodwaters subside soon so they can return to their homes,” he said.

The neighboring municipality of Manapla was also severely affected by the flash floods.

In Victorias City, heavy rains and flooding displaced 10 families, or 37 individuals, in Barangays 6, 7, and 21.

The breakdown of those affected includes three families (eight individuals) in Barangay 21, one family (seven individuals) in Barangay 7, and six families (22 individuals) in Barangay 6.

Among the affected were two persons with disabilities, a senior citizen, two lactating mothers, a pregnant woman, and several children, including an infant, eight children aged 1–5, and three school-age children.

As of 1:30 a.m. Monday, Victorias City Mayor Javier Benitez reported that floodwaters had completely subsided, allowing most families to return home.

For families whose homes were damaged, the city government assured continued support to address their immediate needs.