Most of the residents of three cities and one town of the third district of Negros Occidental who evacuated in the early hours of Friday, the first day of the new year, as floods hit their villages have returned home.
There were 8,050 residents affected by the flooding in Victorias, Talisay, and Silay cities and in EB Magalona town but by midday Friday many began to return home as the flood waters subsided, Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, said today, January 2.
One person was found dead, 30 houses were destroyed and 25 damaged, initial reports showed.
In Victorias, 18 houses of light materials were washed away leaving their owners with no place to go home to, Mayor Francis Palanca said, adding that they are still validating reports that more houses were destroyed.
Palanca said Ramil Panes, 26, who was reported missing since New Year’s Eve after a drinking spree with friends was found dead in the shoreline of Barangay 6-A in Victorias City.
In Talisay City, 12 houses were destroyed and 20 were damaged by the flood, Mayor Neil Lizares said.
In Silay City, five houses were damaged, Mayor Mark Golez said.
Caelian said the persons affected by the flooding in Silay City were 1,643, Victorias – 1,508, Talisay – 3,814, and EB Magalona – 1,805.*