ANTIQUE – Floods displaced around 200 families, or approximately 900 individuals, following heavy rains brought by Tropical Depression “Crising” across seven towns in this province yesterday, July 17.
According to the Antique Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, non-stop rains since yesterday morning inundated the towns of Bugasong, Culasi, Laua-an, San Jose, Sebaste, Sibalom, and Tibiao.
LDRRM Officer 4 Michael Tolentino said they expect the number to increase as assessment and monitoring of affected residents were ongoing as of this writing.
Meanwhile, Carit-an Bridge in Barangay Abiera, Sebaste town was impassable to large vehicles as of 11:30 a.m. yesterday due to continuous rains that have caused soil erosion, affecting the bridge’ structural integrity.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised motorists and the general public to take extra precaution when traversing the area.
It added that emergency and disaster response teams were closely monitoring the situation
Classes suspended
The PDRRMO also announced that all 18 local government units in the province have suspended classes in both public and private schools due to flooding and heavy rains.
Classes from preschool to senior high school levels were suspended on July 17 in Caluya, San Jose, Patnongon, Libertad, Bugasong, Pandan, Barbaza, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste, Laua-an, and San Remigio.
The remaining six towns – Valderrama, Hamtic, Belison, Tobias Fornier, Sibalom, and Anini-y – declared suspension of classes from preschool to senior high school for two days, July 17 to 18.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Antique is under red rainfall category as of 2 p.m. yesterday. The weather bureau said serious flooding is expected in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said 14 areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 due to Crising.
It said the Crising may reach tropical storm category within the day, and intensify into a severe tropical storm today.
It could also make landfall over mainland Cagayan over the weekend, PAGASA added./PN
