Tropical Cyclone ‘Crising’ slams Negros Occidental’s 5th, 6th districts

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province’s 5th and 6th districts were the hardest hit by rains and flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Crising.

He said the affected areas are expected to declare a state of calamity.

Localities in the 5th District include Himamaylan City and the towns of La Castellana, Hinigaran, Isabela, Moises Padilla and Binalbagan.

The governor said more than 5,600 evacuees had already been reported as of this writing.

He added that while other parts of the province were experiencing fair weather, the latest update from PAGASA indicated that rain could be expected across the entire province.

He said a red alert level has been raised from San Carlos to Hinoba-an, with an orange alert for parts of the 4th District and Bacolod, and a yellow alert in the north.

“So in short, we can expect rain, but we should focus more on the 5th and 6th districts,” he said.

As for declaring a state of calamity, Lacson added, “Actually, I’m not surprised if the LGUs, especially in the 5th and 6th districts, start declaring a state of calamity due to Typhoon Crising.”

Fifth District Rep. Atty. Dino Yulo said all the localities in his area were severely affected by the storm.

A landslide at the boundary of Barangays Camandag and Sag-ang on Friday morning rendered the entire road impassable.

Yulo, who inspected the damage, said he has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways to begin clearing the road.

He said the number of evacuees remains fluid as more residents continue to arrive at evacuation centers.

He also reported that many roads remain impassable due to flooding.

In Moises Padilla, at least two houses were washed away by rising waters from the Binalbagan River.

Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Action Officer, Councilor Bryan Garcia, said 170 families or 605 individuals are currently housed in the town’s evacuation center.

In Kabankalan City, Mayor Benjie Miranda said he is considering declaring a state of calamity due to Crising’s impact on eight barangays.