• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In anticipation of heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Opong, the Emergency Operations Center of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) – Negros Island was placed on red alert status yesterday.
Donato Sermeno III, Office of the Civil Defense regional director for Negros Island Region, disclosed the possibility of lahar flow due to anticipated heavy rains.
The OCD-NIR recommended on Monday the preemptive evacuation of residents in Sitio Tamburong, Barangay Biak na Bato in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, in the event of heavy rains.
Torrential rains have triggered the overflow of the Ibid Creek, which has been filled with volcanic materials, usually leading to the temporary displacement of families residing in the area.
The volcanic sediment removed during the initial clearing operation has been observed to be washed back into the creek because of the heavy rains.
Sermeno also alerted the member-agencies of RDRRMC Response Sector to be ready at all times.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that strong to gale-force gusts caused by the southwest monsoon are expected in the Negros Island Region.
Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, according to PAGASA.*
