• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported on September 13 that 157 families, composed of 370 individuals, in five cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, were moved to safer grounds, due to the threat caused by heavy rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon, or the habagat.
The 157 families are currently staying in different evacuation centers, while 14 more families, composed of 55 individuals, are not in evacuation centers, according to the PDRRMC.
Classes were also suspended in 25 local government units, although it was business as usual in government offices.
Flash floods were reported in the towns of San Enrique and Valladolid.
Amid inclement weather, there was no cancellation of sea trips, although the Philippine Coast Guard discouraged fishermen using small boats from venturing into fishing.
As of 12 noon of Sept. 13, PDRMMC also reported that 232 persons, comprising of 655 individuals, were affected by the southwest monsoon in the Negros Occidental.
While Bebinca weakened from a severe tropical storm into a tropical storm outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as September 13, it is still enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is causing rains in parts of the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its rainfall forecast, the state weather bureau said that Negros Occidental and Western Visayas will experience heavy to intense rain (100 to 200 millimeters) on Sept. 14, and moderate to heavy rain in the Negros Island Region is expected on Sept. 15.*
