The floods that hit seven local government units in northern Negros Occidental destroyed and damaged 193 houses and ₱6.55 million in crops and livestock, initial reports from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) showed on Monday, Feb. 2.
The floods on Saturday, following continuous heavy rain triggered by a shear line weather system, also damaged bridges and roads in northern Negros.
There were 8,927 residents affected by the flooding, and many of those who evacuated had returned home on Monday.
The worst hit was Sagay City with 6,803 residents affected, followed by Calatrava with 760, Toboso – 552, Escalante City – 533, Cadiz City – 142, Talisay City – 107, and EB Magalona – 30, the PDRRMO reported.
Angelina Oro, 87, who was bedridden, drowned when a strong current from a nearby creek hit her house in Purok Hillside, Barangay Fabrica, in Sagay on Sunday. Her son said he tried to rescue her, but the floodwater rose rapidly.
Damage to rice in Calatrava and Sagay was ₱2,220,074, and ₱4,330,034 to livestock in Sagay and Toboso, the PDRRMO reported.
Mayor Melecio J. Yap Jr. has suspended classes at all levels in Escalante City on Tuesday, Feb. 3, due to adverse weather conditions.
Mayor Marilyn Era also suspended classes in the upland barangays of Calatrava on Tuesday, citing road flooding.
Foot bridges and overflows were wiped out and damaged in Calatrava during the recent flooding, she said.
Mayor Richard Jaojoco said many Toboso residents lost their belongings, appliances were destroyed, and farm animals died during the floods.
He said four footbridges and roads were also damaged in Toboso.
Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said aside from the houses that were damaged and destroyed in Sagay City, many others were filled with mud.
Continuous rain and a 1.7-meter high tide in Barangay Paraiso caused water levels that were the highest since 1964, he said.
The floods damaged hanging bridges and roads in Sagay City, he added.
Private sector groups are appealing for donations for the flood victims in Sagay City, many of whom lost their clothes and belongings during the floods.*
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