Heavy rains brought on by Tropical Storm Dante triggered flooding that caused persons to go missing, evacuations and landslides in three towns and one city in Negros Occidental starting Tuesday night, June 1.
The evacuees returned to their homes after the water subsided Wednesday, June 2, Zeaphard Caelian, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head, said.
In Hinoba-an town, one of seven persons reported missing in separate areas had not been found as of Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Ernesto Estrao said.
The six were found alive but the search for retired policeman, MSgt, Dacoscos, who was onboard his pickup when it was swept away by strong current at Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an, was still ongoing, the mayor said.
Dacoscos, with his wife on board, was attempting to drive his pickup across a bridge but water was rising so he backed up. The engine of his pickup died just as it was hit by flood water at the approach of the bridge, Estrao said.
The wife of Dacoscos was found alive, the mayor said.
Estrao said flood waters destroyed several houses and property in Hinoba-an but he was still waiting for reports from the field.
Flooding also caused six persons in Barangay Bulwangan and 48 in Barangay Asia, Hinoba-an, to evacuate, Caelian said.
There were also 111 individuals in Isabela and 57 in Binalbagan who also evacuated as floodwaters hit, but have since returned to their homes, Caelian said.
Landslides were also reported in Sitio Bugalo, Baragay Santol, and GMA in Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, he said.
Flooding also occurred in Barangay 21, Victorias, City Administrator Dino Acuña said.*