• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Local disaster councils reported on Friday that at least 33,195 persons were affected by heavy rains due to Tropical Cyclone Opong, triggering evacuations in 13 towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
Flooding in some areas was reported up to three feet high.
Based on reports of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), 31,838 persons were affected by heavy rains in 58 barangays of Hinobaan, Silay City, Pontevedra, Isabela, E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, La Castellana, Manapla, La Carlota City and Bago City, while 1,257 individuals in highly urbanized Bacolod City, temporarily sought shelter in evacuation centers.
Signal Number 2 was declared in northernmost LGUs of Negros Occidental on Friday early morning, with towns and cities in central Negros placed under Signal No. 1.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, the PDRRMC reported that about 1,644 residents in 12 Negros Occidental LGUs were staying in various evacuation centers.
Classes at all levels, both in public and private schools, and government work all over the province was suspended on Sept. 26, as a precautionary measure due to persistent heavy rains.
Three houses were reported by PDRRMC to have been partially damaged in E.B. Magalona and Silay City, while a minor landslide occurred in Brgy. Nabulao, Sipalay City.
The Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental reported that sea travel in Negros Occidental and Bacolod are still suspended, with 298 persons stranded in various ports.
The Philippine Coast Guard cancelled trips from Negros Oriental and Siquijor on Friday due to stormy weather brought about by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Severe Tropical Storm Opong.
The Office of Civil Defense reported that Negros Island may still experience moderate to heavy rains on Saturday.*
