Super Typhoon Egay brought heavy rains to Bacolod City on Tuesday, July 25, resulting in flooding in many areas and making major streets impassable.
At around lunchtime, residents of Singcang along Araneta Street were forced to evacuate their homes as water level rose. Portions of Araneta Street, along Gaisano City Mall up to before the flyover, were also impassable to small and light vehicles, as floodwaters reached knee level in some areas.
An armored car was also seen stranded right in front of McDonald’s in Araneta Street. Videos circulating online also showed areas from Cegasco up to NHA in Barangay Pahonocoy under floodwaters.
Responders from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Amity, and Chamber were deployed to various areas to execute evacuations.
The flooding was caused by the Southwest Monsoon, which was further enhanced by Egay. According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, accumulated rainfall in Bacolod from July 24 (8pm) to July 25 (2pm) was 28.7 mm, equivalent to the amount of rainfall in 3-5 days.
As of Tuesday evening, 3,378 residents had been evacuated to 22 evacuation centers in Bacolod City. The city government was providing food assistance and hygiene kits to the affected residents.
In other parts of Negros Occidental, the rains have caused flooding, landslides, and power outages. There were 6,826 families or 27,357 residents from six towns and three cities affected by the flooding.
The rains are expected to continue in the coming days, so residents are advised to stay safe and follow the instructions of local authorities.
