ILOILO City – Twenty residents stranded by floodwaters in Guimaras and Antique were brought to safety by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on July 24, as monsoon rains worsened flooding in parts of Western Visayas.
The PCG said the rescue missions involved three families composed of 20 individuals who became trapped after floodwaters rapidly rose in their communities.
In Jordan, Guimaras, Coast Guard personnel evacuated a family of 10 from Sitio Nabagatan in Barangay Poblacion after floodwaters surrounded their residence.
nother operation was conducted along the boundary of Barangays Guintas and Funda in Hamtic, Antique, where rescuers assisted two families totaling 10 persons after floodwaters blocked their escape routes.
Rescue teams waded through deep floodwaters while carrying children, assisting elderly residents and women, and using lifebuoys and guide ropes to safely transport evacuees to secure areas despite heavy rains and limited visibility.
The rescue operations were mounted as Western Visayas continued to experience severe flooding caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Kiyapo, prompting emergency response operations across several provinces.
According to the PCG, the missions were carried out under its Intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response, and Enforcement (iCARE) program, which aims to provide immediate assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
The Coast Guard reminded residents living in flood-prone communities to immediately comply with evacuation advisories and closely monitor weather updates from government agencies while inclement weather continues./PN
(Caption Photo 1)
SN1 SURIAGA, PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD VIA HAZEL P. VILLA
Coast Guard rescuers evacuate a child from a flooded community during a nighttime rescue operation in Hamtic, Antique on July 24 after continuous heavy rains submerged residential areas.
(Caption Photo 2)
SN1 SURIAGA, PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD VIA HAZEL P. VILLA
A Coast Guard rescuer carries a child through floodwaters as emergency responders escort displaced residents to safer ground in Hamtic, Antique.
(Caption Photo 3)
PHOTO CREDIT: SN1 SURIAGA, PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD VIA HAZEL P. VILLA
Residents are assisted by Philippine Coast Guard personnel while crossing floodwaters during evacuation operations in Guimaras and Antique on July 24.
(Caption Photo 4)
PHOTO CREDIT: SN1 SURIAGA, PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD VIA HAZEL P. VILLA
Philippine Coast Guard rescuers use lifebuoys and safety ropes to guide flood victims across swollen waters during an evacuation operation in Western Visayas.
