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Flash floods hit northern Negros on New Year's Day

By Nanette Guadalquiver and Erwin Nicavera

January 1, 2021, 6:05 pm

<p><strong>EVACUATION</strong>. Personnel of Victorias City Police Station in Negros Occidental assist residents seeking evacuation after flashfloods hit 12 villages in the northern city early morning on Friday (Jan. 1, 2021). Heavy rains led to flooding in four localities in the province's third district.<em> (Photo courtesy of Victorias City Police Station)</em></p>

EVACUATION. Personnel of Victorias City Police Station in Negros Occidental assist residents seeking evacuation after flashfloods hit 12 villages in the northern city early morning on Friday (Jan. 1, 2021). Heavy rains led to flooding in four localities in the province's third district. (Photo courtesy of Victorias City Police Station)

BACOLOD CITY – Flash floods brought by torrential rains hit at least four localities in northern Negros Occidental, particularly those in the third district, early morning on New Year's Day.

In Victorias City, waters rose in 12 villages, including five considered as "critically" affected – Barangays 1, 7, 9, 13 and 19A.

Councilor Francis Frederick Palanca said some 1,508 persons were affected in the 12 villages.

By noon time, more than 400 families have been evacuated in barangay halls, transport terminal, cultural center, and coliseum.

Palanca said that in critically-affected villages, flood waters were waist-deep or even higher.

He added that waters started to rise at around 1 a.m., following heavy rains in the upland areas.

"Nobody expected the floods early this morning. We ended up doing forced evacuation and rescue operations. It took only about 10 minutes for the water to significantly rise," Palanca said.

Around noon, floodwaters were already subsiding, he added.

Palanca said the city government distributed food packs to the affected residents as initial assistance.

In neighboring E.B. Magalona town, flooding was also reported in at least four villages.

In Silay City, Board Member Ryan Gamboa, president of Philippine Councilors League-Negros Occidental, said in a Facebook post that he woke up to reports of flooding in various areas in the city from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Flooding has not yet receded in some areas as shown in the photos posted by netizens on social media early Friday afternoon.

According to local reports, more than 120 families in four villages, and a yet undetermined number from two other barangays were affected in Silay.

In Talisay, just north of Bacolod, some 3,467 families from seven barangays were displaced by the floods, reports from the city disaster unit showed.

Based on Thunderstorm Advisory No. 1 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Services Division Visayas at 12:45 a.m. on Friday, moderate to heavy rainshowers with lightning and strong winds due to thunderstorms were to affect Negros Occidental, including E.B. Magalona, and cities of Talisay, Silay, and Bacolod, with associated impacts such as flash floods and landslides. (PNA)

 

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