BACOLOD City – Heavy rainfall triggered by a shear line placed Bacolod City under a yellow rainfall warning over the weekend, flooding several areas and affecting at least 24 barangays on Saturday, January 31, prompting evacuations, flood monitoring, and emergency response operations.
Based on records from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), evacuations were carried out in coastal and low-lying areas, including Barangays 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 31, 35, 36, 39, 40, Alijis, Bata, Cabug, Granada, Mandalagan, Mansilingan, Montevista, Pahanocoy, Singcang-Airport, Taculing, and Villamonte.
Data from the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) showed that at least 320 families or 1,038 individuals from 14 barangays sought temporary shelter in various evacuation centers on Saturday night. These centers included schools, covered courts, and gymnasiums, where evacuees were provided with food and other basic necessities.
By Sunday noon, city authorities reported that all displaced residents had returned home after floodwaters subsided. However, as of this writing, the CDRRMO is still validating the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
In its January 31 report, the CDRRMO cited a 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4 p.m. by the Visayas office of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which said the shear line affected the eastern sections of Southern Luzon and the Visayas. Cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms were expected, with possible flash floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall.
According to the CDRRMO, floodwaters in some areas reached up to four feet, while several rivers in the city overflowed. Rising water levels were aggravated by high tide and continuous rainfall in upland areas of Don Salvador Benedicto and Talisay City.
The City Engineer’s Office (CEO) Rapid Drainage Response Teams conducted clearing and declogging operations along Palanca Street and other flood-prone areas to remove debris and garbage blocking drainage inlets. Authorities noted that most of the clogging materials consisted of debris and waste washed down from higher elevations and nearby establishments.
Meanwhile, flooding was also reported in other parts of Negros Occidental. Initial data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that the cities of Talisay, Escalante, and Sagay, as well as the municipalities of Calatrava and Toboso, were affected by floods.
In Toboso, Mayor Richard Jaojoco ordered the suspension of classes at all levels on Monday, February 2, following flooding in the municipality. “Classes in all levels are suspended in Toboso on Monday, February 2, due to the effects of flooding. Executive order to follow,” Jaojoco said in a Facebook post.
The Toboso Fire Station also posted photos on social media showing rescue operations in flooded areas. In Calatrava, several families were rescued from Barangay Suba on Saturday night.
The Escalante City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that a road in Sitio Varca, Barangay Jonob-Jonob, was rendered impassable early Sunday due to flooding but was cleared past 8 a.m.
In Sagay City, at least 1,261 individuals from Barangays Paraiso, Fabrica, Bato, and Poblacion 2 were staying in 10 evacuation centers as of early Sunday morning. The evacuees underwent medical check-ups and were provided leptospirosis prophylaxis, maintenance medicines, hot meals, and food packs.
Clearing operations and monitoring of flood-prone areas continue as authorities remain on alert for possible additional rainfall in the coming days./PN
