Continuous rain triggered by two weather disturbances caused 10,653 Negrenses to evacuate, triggered landslides, and damage to livestock in Negros Occidental.
Tropical Depression “Agaton ” was estimated based on all available data in the vicinity of Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 75 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.
The center of the eye of Typhoon “Basyang” was estimated based on all available data at 1,400 km East of Central Luzon (16.0°N, 135.2°E) outside the Philippine area of responsibility with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 160 km/h, and central pressure of 970 hPa, it added.
Negros Occidental had 10,653 evacuees with 24 in Escalante City, Sagay City – 68, Cadiz City – 421, Manapla – 127, Victorias City – 1,334, EB Magalona – 6,915, Silay City – 596 and Talisay City – 1,368, Isagani Republica of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division reported.
However, the evacuees in Talisay were down to 589 last night, City Social Welfare Officer Dionela Madrona said.
LANDSLIDES
A landslide in Sitio Tambara, Barangay San Fernando, Talisay City, prevented four wheel drive vehicles from passing the road in the area, she added.
A landslide also occurred in Nueva Estrella, Barangay General Luna, causing the road to crack and the riprap to collapse, Jun Carbajosa, Toboso Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head, said.
A rockslide in Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City, also blocked a road causing vehicles to be stranded for an hour, Republica said.
LIVESTOCK DAMAGE
“Agaton” also caused initial livestock damage of P508,225 in two cities and four towns in Negros Occidental, Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said Tuesday.
Livestock damage was reported in San Enrique, Bago City, La Carlota City, Valladolid, Pontevedra and Pulupandan.
SUSPENDED
The continuous rains also caused several mayors to suspend classes and work at government offices in their areas on Tuesday.
SEA TRAVEL
Sea travel between San Carlos City in Negros Occidental and Toledo, Cebu, resumed Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported.
However, sea travel out of Escalante and Sagay cities remained suspended due to inclement weather, it added.
Sea travel between Bacolod City and Iloilo continued.
IN BACOLOD
In Bacolod City, 227 families, composed of 908 individuals, were preemptively evacuated to the Banago Elementary School and Emilio Garcia ES in Alijis, while others were staying with relatives, the Department of Social Services and Development reported.
The city government, through the DSSD, provided hot meals to the evacuees, while food packs were given to families affected by the floods who were not staying at the evacuation centers, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said.
He said because of Commission on Elections restrictions contained in the Omnibus Election Code, all assistance extended by the local government to the calamity victims were coursed through the Philippine Red Cross.*