ILOILO City – Nearly 1,500 barangays across Western Visayas face potential flooding and rain-induced landslides as Super Typhoon Rosal threatens to bring rains and strong winds to parts of the region, prompting disaster authorities to order heightened preparedness and possible preemptive evacuations to prevent casualties.
Despite the cyclone’s projected track away from Western Visayas, disaster authorities remained concerned about rainfall-related hazards, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has identified 1,497 barangays in five provinces as susceptible to flooding and landslides, with Iloilo accounting for more than half of the vulnerable communities.
Of the total, Iloilo recorded the highest number of at-risk barangays at 860, followed by Capiz with 405, Antique with 99, Guimaras with 88, and Aklan with 45.
The hazard assessment was based on the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) rainfall data using the General Survey Model (GSM) and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, both with 50-millimeter rainfall thresholds and a 120-hour forecast as of 8 p.m. on October 20, 2026.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Western Visayas director Raul E. Fernandez, who also chairs the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), urged local government units (LGUs) to prioritize communities identified as vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
He particularly emphasized the need for preemptive evacuations whenever conditions warrant, warning that early action is crucial to protecting lives.
The warning comes as Rosal is expected to bring light to moderate winds and isolated rain showers to Western Visayas from Friday through the weekend, even as the cyclone tracks closer to extreme Northern Luzon.
Fernandez directed LGUs and concerned government agencies to review their disaster preparedness and contingency plans, ensure the operational readiness of emergency response teams and equipment, and immediately communicate potential hazards to vulnerable communities.
Residents of flood-prone and landslide-susceptible areas were also advised to monitor official weather bulletins, prepare essential supplies and evacuation necessities, and strictly follow instructions from local disaster authorities.
The OCD stressed that early preparation, coordinated response and timely evacuation could significantly reduce the risks posed by the approaching weather disturbance.
Fernandez issued the directives during the RDRRMC Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Scenario Building meeting conducted virtually on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21.
The meeting brought together regional disaster response agencies to assess the possible effects of Rosal and coordinate preparedness measures ahead of the anticipated adverse weather conditions.
According to the Oct. 22 weather update from the DOST-PAGASA Iloilo Radar Station, Rosal was forecast to continue moving northwestward of the Philippines before turning north-northwestward on Friday, October 23, and eventually recurving northeastward over the weekend.
The cyclone was expected to approach extreme Northern Luzon most closely between Thursday and Friday afternoon before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday morning.
PAGASA also projected that Rosal would gradually weaken from its peak intensity, eventually becoming a typhoon and later a severe tropical storm by Sunday, October 25.
Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported during the disaster assessment meeting that major dams across Western Visayas, including Jalaur, Suague, Aganan and Sta. Barbara, remained at normal operating levels.
However, two dams under the Aklan River Irrigation System were reported to be at critically low water levels.
NIA assured that these facilities would remain under strict and continuous monitoring as the weather system progresses.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, reported that it had prepositioned 173,059 family food packs across 78 LGU sites throughout the region to support communities that could be affected by the cyclone.
The agency also maintained more than P187 million in standby funds and relief stockpiles for possible emergency operations./PN
