• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO / GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Heavy rain brought on by the low pressure area embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone yesterday triggered flooding in some areas of Bacolod City.
After the non-stop rains late afternoon yesterday, heavy traffic that lasted for hours was observed along the main streets of Bacolod City, due to flashfloods.
Classes at all levels were also suspended yesterday in Bacolod City, component cities of Silay, Talisay, Himamaylan, La Carlota, and Bago, and the municipalities of EB Magalona, Murcia, Hinobaan and Manapla.
A woman who was reported missing in Brgy. Guiljungan, Cauayan, on May 3, was yet to be found, as of press time.
On the other hand, the Office of Civil Defense 6 reported that 15 towns and 144 barangays in Western Visayas were affected by flooding.
OCD 6 office-in-charge Maria Aletha Nogra told Bombo Radyo that 10,580 familes, composed 44,502 persons, were affected, with 2,896 families temporarily housed in evacuation centers.
Of the affected residents, 14 families, composed of 52 individuals, were affected in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
BACOLOD DECLOGGING
The Department of Public Works and Highways – Bacolod Engineering District is conducting declogging activities in Bacolod City drainage systems after the flooding incident Sunday that followed a heavy downpour.
Water rose to knee level is some areas of Bacolod, such as Libertad, Mandalagan, and Burgos extension, after the heavy rains which lasted for almost two hours on Sunday. Even the Bacolod City Public Plaza and reclamation area experienced heavy floods that resulted in the Manokan Country being impassable to public utility jeepneys.
Flooding was also experienced yesterday in several areas in Bacolod City following heavy rains.
Bacolod District Engineer Abraham Villareal said they will be implementing a diversion drainage channel project from Mambuloc Creek, going to the reclamation area, to address the flooding problem in the area.
The overflow in Mambuloc Creek has contributed to the flooding along the reclamation area, based on initial investigation conducted by the DPWH-Bacolod.
Villareal added they have allocated P5 million to arrest flooding along Magsaysay Avenue.
Meanwhile, the DPWH is currently conducting construction works to widen both sides of the Sum-ag Bridge in the same barangay.
Villareal said the project has a total budget of P80 million.*
