• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported the deaths of persons from drowning and electrocution as of July 21, after the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Tropical Storm Crising, hit Negros Occidental last week.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Irene Bel Ploteña disclosed yesterday that four died of drowning in Binalbagan and the cities of Himamaylan and Sagay, while two died from electrocution in Hinobaan, all in Negros Occidental.
Of more than 31,000 residents of 18 Negros Occidental local government units affected by flooding, Ploteña said that 811, whose residences were either destroyed or partially damaged by the flooding, are still in evacuation centers of Binalbagan, La Castellana, San Enrique, and La Carlota.
The PDRRMC also reported that 14 houses were destroyed, while 121 others partially damaged. Damage to livestock, gamefowl, and poultry was reported by the Provincial Veterinary Office at P2,325,371.
Due to continuing inclement weather conditions, face to face classes were suspended Monday afternoon in Isabela, La Castellana, Bago City, Pontevedra, and Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, until further notice.
About 2,000 students of Sum-ag National High School in Bacolod City, were placed under modular learning on Monday afternoon, because of flooding in the school campus.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported that Negros Occidental will experience moderate to heavy rain (50 to100 mm) from Tuesday to Wednesday noon due to the continuing southwest monsoon.
The state weather bureau is still monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) which was spotted east of Eastern Visayas. While it is not affecting any part of the country, it is reported to have a “medium” chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours.
If the LPA becomes a tropical depression, it would be given the local name “Dante”. It would also be the third tropical cyclone for July.*
