ILOILO — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has intensified its typhoon monitoring as more than 3,000 residents across four Iloilo towns were affected by torrential rains triggered by the southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by tropical storms “Dante” and “Emong.”
As of July 24, the PDRRMO reported that a total of 3,003 individuals or 780 families were impacted in 22 barangays across the municipalities of Maasin, Tigbauan, Dumangas, and Leganes.
Among the worst-hit was Dumangas, where 12 barangays recorded 480 families or 1,857 individuals affected.
In Tigbauan, four barangays were inundated, displacing 286 families or 1,078 individuals, with some temporarily housed in evacuation centers.
Maasin and Leganes reported lighter impacts, affecting 59 and nine individuals, respectively.
While Western Visayas remains outside the direct path of current cyclones, the region is under heightened alert due to the intensified habagat, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast issued at 4 p.m. on July 23.
PAGASA also raised Heavy Rainfall Warning No. 15 at 8 p.m. the same day, prompting the PDRRMO to issue advisories to municipal DRRMOs and partner agencies. Orange warning levels — signaling intense rainfall — were raised over Pavia, San Miguel, Zarraga, Leganes, Sta. Barbara, and Oton.
Yellow warnings — indicating possible flooding in low-lying areas — were issued in San Joaquin, Miagao, Igbaras, Guimbal, Tubungan, Leon, Tigbauan, Alimodian, Dumangas, Maasin, Cabatuan, and New Lucena.
“Residents are urged to stay alert and prioritize their safety during this critical time,” the PDRRMO warned, emphasizing the importance of monitoring updates from local authorities.
The PDRRMO Operations Center continues to closely track the two tropical cyclones within the Philippine Area of Responsibility and the prevailing habagat, with emergency protocols on standby in anticipation of worsening weather conditions./PN
