Heavy rain caused flooding in several parts of Bacolod City due to clogged waterways and overflowing creeks today, January 8, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said.
Flooding was also reported in Talisay, Silay and Victorias cities, with rescue and evacuation operations underway tonight.
In Bacolod, among the areas hit were the reclamation area, including the Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports Center, the intersection of Araneta and Magsaysay avenues, and barangays 3, Mandalagan and Bata, Jose Marie Vargas, Bacolod cluster head for disaster management, said.
The DRRMO also reported flooding at the GK Village in Barangay Banago and Hernaez Extension in Barangay Taculing.
The rain, brought on by a low pressure area with combined effects of the tail end of a frontal system, caused flood waters to rise from one to two feet high, the DRRMO said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways drainage system at the intersection of Araneta and Magsaysay needs to be fixed to address the rising water in the area, Vargas said.
Meanwhile, the budget to address the problem of flooding in the reclamation area, that includes the BAYS Center, had been realigned for the COVID-19 response of the city last year, Vargas said.
The city government will start dredging the Mambuloc Creek to ease flooding in barangays 2, 8, and 12 where the reclamation area is also located, he said.
The city government has purchased an amphibious excavator for dredging purposes, Vargas said.*