More than 2,500 residents have evacuated in southern Negros Occidental after Tropical Depression Crising, intensified by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), brought relentless rains and widespread flooding to nine localities.
The flooding, which began on Thursday, July 17, has also triggered landslides and rendered numerous roads and bridges impassable, disrupting daily life and prompting class suspensions.
Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), reported to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson that floodwaters in several barangays reached depths of two to five feet. The PDMPD’s latest data reveals the extent of the evacuations, with thousands seeking refuge from the rising waters:
- Hinoba-an: 211 families
- Cauayan: 295 families
- Binalbagan: 142 families
- Isabela: 720 families
- Sipalay City: 16 families
- Kabankalan City: 464 families
- Himamaylan City: 489 families
- Ilog: 37 families
- Moises Padilla: 159 families
Beyond the flooding, the combined weather phenomena have also caused resulted to landslides in Barangays Culipapa and Bulwagan in Hinoba-an, Brgy. Montilla in Moises Padilla, and Mauboy and San Francisco Village in Brgy. Nabulao, and Brgy. Maricalum in Sipalay City. Additionally, rock slides were confirmed in Caliling, Cauayan, based on reports from barangay officials and residents.
The severe flooding also severely impact transportation in the southern part of the province. Motorists found themselves stranded at the boundaries of Isabela and Binalbagan, Isabela and Hinigaran, and Isabela and Crossing Magallon, as major highways became submerged, leaving several houses underwater.
Seveenteen barangays in Sipalay City also experienced a blackout on Thursday.
A total of 28 local government units in Negros Occidental have announced class suspensions, with some also suspending work in government offices to ensure the safety of residents and allow for disaster response efforts. Classes remain suspended for July 18 in at least 22 localities, including Bacolod City.
