Flashflood kills octogenarian, displaces 1,400 families in Negros Occidental
FLASHFLOOD hit Negros Occidental on Saturday night, Jan. 31, due to heavy rain from the shearline. (BFP-Toboso)
BACOLOD CITY – A senior citizen was killed and 1,400 families were displaced by flashflood caused by torrential rain from the shearline in Negros Occidental and this highly-urbanized city on Saturday night, Jan. 31.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office reported that an 87-year-old bedridden woman drowned when flood water struck her house on Sunday, Feb. 1, in Barangay Fabrica, Sagay City. Her remains were retrieved by rescuers.
The flashflood displaced 1,091 families or 4,034 persons from 14 barangays in five local government units (LGUs), the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said.
A landslide occurred in Barangay Polopangyan but was later cleared. A total of 51 houses were damaged, 12 totally and 39 partially, in Sagay City, Toboso, and Escalante City.
The municipality of Toboso suspended classes on Monday, Feb. 2.
As of Sunday afternoon, 1,033 families or 3,892 individuals are still in evacuation centers.
A total of 320 families or 1,038 persons were hit by flashflood in this city.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported evacuations in several barangays.
The City Engineer’s Office Rapid Drainage Response Team conducted clearing and declogging operations on major roads and streets affected by flooding.
Mayor Greg Gasataya urged residents to remain vigilant, closely monitor flood conditions in their communities, and proceed to evacuation areas at the earliest sign of danger.
Evacuees here have returned to their homes and the city has distributed relief goods to affected residents.