ILOILO City — Continuous rains triggered by a shear line have placed multiple river systems across Western Visayas under flood monitoring, with the state weather bureau warning that flooding risks may escalate as heavier rainfall is expected to persist over the region in the coming days.
In Iloilo Province, sea travel across key island routes was suspended Sunday afternoon as weather conditions deteriorated, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to halt trips that could endanger passengers and small vessels.
In General Flood Advisory No. 5 issued at 6 a.m. on January 4, the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) said the shear line affecting Palawan and the Visayas has been bringing light to moderate rains and thunderstorms that have already caused flooding in some areas.
PAGASA identified Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Aklan as among the provinces with rivers and tributaries likely to be affected.
For its part, PCG-Iloilo ordered the temporary suspension of sea trips within its area of responsibility starting 1 p.m. on January 4, citing continuous heavy rains and unfavorable sea conditions.
Until further notice, according to PCG-Iloilo acting commander Commodore Jan Terazona, sea travel along the following routes remains suspended:
* Concepcion Feeder Port – Island barangays (and vice versa)
* Bancal Port, Carles – Gigantes Island, Carles (and vice versa)
* Sicogon Port, Carles – Estancia Port, Estancia (and vice versa)
* Bay-ang Port – Manta-angan Port (and vice versa)
PCG-Iloilo also warned fisherfolk and coastal communities against venturing out to sea or engaging in any water-related activities while the weather disturbance persists.
In Antique, rivers and tributaries in Sibalom, Ipayo, Cagaranan, Palawan, Caniaran, Dalanas, and Tibiao were placed under monitoring.
Capiz authorities were advised to closely watch rivers in Panay, Mambusao, Panay, Malinao, Alingon, and Balantian, while the island-province of Guimaras placed all rivers and tributaries on alert status.
In Iloilo, PAGASA flagged rivers and tributaries in Pinantan, Barotac, Akalayan, Jalaud, Jalono, Jagdong, Jalaur, Lamunan, Jaro-Aganan, Sibalom, and Guimbal as areas of concern.
Aklan placed rivers in Ibajay and Jalo under possible flooding alert.
In the Negros Island Region, Negros Occidental was also advised to monitor river systems in Malogo, Sicaba, Grande, Himoga-an, Danao, Upper Tabanan, Sipalay, and Lower Ilog.
PAGASA warned residents living near mountain slopes and low-lying communities along these river systems to stay vigilant, noting that rainfall impacts could worsen due to already saturated ground conditions.
“Forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. Moreover, impacts in some areas may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said in a Weather Advisory posted on its official Facebook page.
In Weather Advisory No. 2 issued at 11 a.m. on January 4, PAGASA forecast heavy rainfall ranging from 50 to 100 millimeters until January 5 noon in several parts of the Visayas, including Negros Occidental, Cebu, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and Masbate.
Another round of heavy rainfall is expected from January 5 noon to January 6 noon over parts of the Bicol Region, particularly Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon.
PAGASA urged local disaster risk reduction and management offices (LDRRMOs) to take all necessary precautions to protect lives and property, noting that regional PAGASA offices may issue Heavy Rainfall Warnings, Thunderstorm Advisories, and localized severe weather bulletins as conditions evolve.
The weather bureau clarified that a Weather Advisory provides a 24-hour outlook at the provincial level, while Heavy Rainfall Warnings are more precise, covering a three-hour period down to the municipal level using Doppler radar data, and should serve as the basis for class suspensions and other immediate response decisions.
PAGASA said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and issue updates should significant changes occur. /PN
