Negros flood kills 1, affects over 14,000 families

BY GLAZYL MASCULINO

BACOLOD CITY – A person died due to flooding that hit the northern part of Negros Occidental, affecting 14,872 families on New Year’s Day, the Provincial Command Center reported on Saturday.

According to Provincial Incident Management Team spokesperson Charina Magallanes Tan, the fatality was from Victorias City, where 8,976 families in 17 barangays were evacuated.

Tan said that 37 houses were destroyed while 127 others were damaged in the flood brought about by heavy rains.

In Silay City, the flood also affected 706 families or 2,114 individuals in 13 villages, and damaged five houses, and 100 livestock.

Tan said there was no evacuees as of 5 p.m. of January 2, and all roads were already passable.

In Talisay City, 3,990 families in 12 barangays were evacuated, but they were already allowed to return to their homes on January 2 when the water subsided.

Tan said 17 houses were destroyed while 31 others were damaged, and the wall of Barangay Zone 3 Inocencio V Ferrer School of fisheries collapsed. Also, three pump boats were damaged and one was destroyed.

In E.B. Magalona town, 1,200 families in six barangays were affected, according to Capt. Joseth Catonina, town police chief.

Catonina said that Barangays Latasan, Sto. Niño, and San Jose were greatly affected by the flood caused by the river current from Imbang river in Silay City.

Forced evacuation was implemented in San Jose village, but evacuees returned to their residences the following day.

Catonina said part of Barangays Tanza, San Isidro, and Consing were also affected.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) distributed eight boxes of sardines and 15 bottled water in Talisay City, and 15 sacks of rice, six boxes of sardines, and 20 bottled water in E.B. Magalona town.