• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
While Tropical Depression Basyang triggered pre-emptive evacuations on February 6 in Negros Occidental, no damage was initially reported in the province, as disclosed by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Irene Bel Ploteña.
Ploteña explained on Sunday that it was because mostly light rains were experienced by the different local government units across the province.
PDRRMO records showed that pre-emptive evacuations took place in the cities of Escalante, San Carlos, Sagay, Himamaylan, La Carlota, and Bago, as well as the municipalities of Isabela, E.B. Magalona, La Castellana, Calatrava, Hinobaan, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Cauayan, and Toboso.
Muddy stream flows were observed at Ibid Creek in La Castellana town, the report further indicated.
The Office of Civil Defense – Negros Island Region reported that 3,710 families, composed of 10,307 individuals, in Negros Occidental, participated in the pre-emptive evacuations triggered by Basyang and recent shearline-induced rains.
Except for those affected by the January 31 shearline-induced rains, the majority of the evacuees have returned to their respective homes, Ploteña said.
Sea travel also resumed on February 7 in various ports of Negros Occidental, while classes in all levels are expected to resume today.*
