BACOLOD City — Tropical Depression “Verbena” caused heavy flooding in Bacolod City on the morning of November 25, rendering 10 major roads impassable and disrupting transportation for motorists.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bacolod reported that floodwaters reached nearly 1.5 feet, blocking motorcycles, tricycles, and light to medium vehicles from passing through several streets.
The affected roads included Triumph-Bangga Tomaro-Araneta Street, Bangga Villa Lourdes-Araneta Street, CEGASCO-Araneta-Circumferential Road, Bangga LCC Manville-Araneta Street, GSIS-Araneta Street, Robinsons Mall-Lacson Street, Citadines-Lacson Street, Circumferential Road from Barangay Bata flyover to Barangay Banago, the Bacolod City Government Center, HI Strip, Panasiatic Circumferential Road, and Magsaysay-Taculing Road.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said water levels began rising around 6:30 a.m., following reports from the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of heavy rainfall from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., totaling approximately 70.5 millimeters. He noted that the flooding was further exacerbated by water flowing into the city from neighboring areas.
The overflowing of rivers in Banago, Mambuloc, and Magsungay contributed to the widespread inundation, the mayor emphasized.
Initial reports indicated that over 5,000 residents were evacuated to designated centers, particularly those living in flood-prone areas along coastal zones and riverbanks.
The BFP confirmed that several hours after the floodwaters receded, the affected roads gradually became passable again./PN
