Against the rising waters in Barangay Talubangi, Kabankalan City, a person with disability, along with his dog and chicken, were safely rescued on Friday.*Romeo Subaldo photo
Heavy rains and widespread flooding, triggered by Tropical Storm “Crising” and the southwest monsoon, affected at least 16,580 residents across 13 towns and cities in Negros Occidental on Friday, July 18, with 10,589 in evacuation centers.
Rescuers were also searching for a 30-year-old fisherman who went missing off the coast of Sagay City on Thursday, and a 44-year-old ‘bachoy’ restaurant owner who fell into an overflow in Brgy. Biao, Binalbagan, on Friday.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the 5th and 6th Districts of Negros Occidental were the worst-hit areas.
Mayor Benjie Miranda said will seek the declaration of a state of calamity in Kabankalan City. The declaration, which requires the approval of the Kabankalan Sangguniang Panlungsod, would enable the city to release crucial funds to aid flood-affected residents, he said.
DAMAGES
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported significant damages as of 5 p.m. Friday.
Livestock losses were estimated at P361,303, while damage to two hanging bridges in Isabela was pegged at P1 million.
The floods also destroyed 13 houses and damaged 32 others.
Destroyed houses were reported in Manapla – 5, La Castellana – 4, Isabela – 3, and Bago -1. Damaged houses were in Manapla – 23, Hinoba-an – 5, and Bago City – 4.
EVACUATIONS
Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), said the number of evacuees increased on Friday as flash floods hit southern Negros.
The breakdown of affected residents by locality is as follows:
- Binalbagan: 9,021 affected, 571 in evacuation centers
- Hinigaran: 5,450 affected, 555 in evacuation centers
- Kabankalan City: 4,239 affected, 3,526 in evacuation centers
- Sipalay City: 2,024 affected, 1,912 in evacuation centers
- Isabela: 1,574 affected, 1,426 in evacuation centers
- Cauayan: 779 affected, 771 in evacuation centers
- Candoni: 615 affected, 139 in evacuation centers
- Pontevedra: 567 affected, 495 in evacuation centers
- Himamaylan City: 489 affected, 489 in evacuation centers
- Hinoba-an: 462 affected, 332 in evacuation centers
- Ilog: 219 affected, 219 in evacuation centers
- Moises Padilla: 161 affected, 153 in evacuation centers
- Calatrava: 1 affected
There were also reports of landslides and impassable roads and bridges in various parts of southern Negros on Friday.*