Senior citizen drowns as Negros flooding displaces families

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Flooding struck several areas in Negros Occidental on Saturday night, affecting more than 1,000 families and claiming the life of an elderly woman who drowned in rising waters.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office reported that an 87-year-old bedridden woman was found dead Sunday near a creek in front of her home in Barangay Fabrica, Sagay City.

Police said the victim drowned after floodwaters inundated her residence following heavy rainfall in the area.

Based on her son’s account, the woman had been bedridden due to paralysis when a sudden surge of water from a nearby creek struck their house at about 9 p.m. Saturday.

The strong current caused severe damage to the house and rapidly raised floodwaters inside the residence.

Her son attempted to rescue her, but the floodwaters quickly reached roof level, making evacuation difficult due to her condition.

The victim was submerged, and her remains were later recovered by local rescue teams.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that 1,091 families, or 4,034 individuals, from 14 barangays in five local government units were affected by flooding.

Affected areas included 732 families, or 3,144 individuals, in Sagay City; 138 families, or 166 individuals, in Calatrava; 148 families, or 552 individuals, in Toboso; 15 families, or 30 individuals, in E.B. Magalona; and 58 families, or 142 individuals, in Cadiz City.

Flooding was also reported in Talisay City, according to provincial disaster officials.

Classes in the municipality of Toboso were suspended on Monday, Feb. 2, due to the impact of the flooding.

A landslide occurred in Barangay Polopangyan in Toboso but was later cleared, authorities said.

Provincial disaster officials reported that 51 houses were damaged, including 12 totally destroyed and 39 partially damaged, in Sagay City, Toboso and Escalante City.

As of Sunday afternoon, 1,033 families, or 3,892 individuals, were staying in various evacuation centers across the province.

Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions as intermittent rains persist, while local governments coordinate relief and recovery efforts for affected communities.