BACOLOD City – No one evacuated or was injured after heavy rain hit this capital city, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported.
Executive Assistant Joemarie Vargas, cluster head of the CDRRMO, said Thursday’s downpour inconvenienced motorists in Bacolod from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Vargas said the rain was brought about by the southwest monsoon. This and the garbage clogging drainages in the city caused the floods, he added.
The rainwater reached 72.8 millimeters, which is equivalent to three to four days of rain, according to the CDRRMO.
Strong winds accompanying the downpour also caused some trees to fall.
The flood subsided later on Thursday evening.
Despite this, Mayor Evelio Leonardia still suspended classes in all levels and work in all government offices in the city on Friday.
Leonardia cited weather forecasts from the CDRRMO and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, showing that there is “more than 90 percent chance of rainfall the whole day of Aug. 3.”
Assistant District Engineer Leah Jamero said the flood control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways on Lacson Street is “not yet operational.”
She added that they target to finish the project this November./PN
