BACOLOD City – A house built beneath a bridge near Abad Church along Lacson Street was swept away Thursday night, July 30, after the Lupit River overflowed due to continuous heavy rains, prompting authorities to evacuate nearby families and intensify safety measures.
Residents said no one was inside the house when it was carried away by the strong current, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) immediately responded and began evacuating families living along the riverbank as water levels continued to rise.
Authorities said the Lupit River swelled after persistent heavy rainfall in the upper areas of Negros Occidental, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying communities.
The CDRRMO advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly in Taculing, the Alijis boundary, Barangay 39 (Gaisano area), and Purok Mars in Barangay Singcang, to remain vigilant and prepare for possible evacuation should weather conditions worsen.
The office said it continues to closely monitor the situation and remains on standby for emergency response.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said the department would assess the affected area to determine the assistance that could be extended to displaced families.
Based on initial reports, Mangga said eight houses were affected by the incident, including the structure that was swept away by the floodwaters.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact number of displaced residents.
Following the incident, Mayor Greg Gasataya ordered the immediate deployment of a joint inspection team composed of representatives from the DSSD, CDRRMO, Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA), and the City Health Office (CHO).
The team was tasked to assess the condition of families living beneath the bridge along the Lupit River, identify those at risk, and facilitate necessary interventions, including evacuation, relocation, and the provision of emergency assistance.
City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu said the affected residents had previously been ordered to vacate the area because it had been declared a danger zone.
City officials again urged residents living near rivers, waterways, and other high-risk areas to heed evacuation advisories and cooperate with authorities as intermittent heavy rains continue to threaten communities across Bacolod./PN
