BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Tropical Depression Agaton continues to bring rains Negros Occidental that led to rising waters in some low-lying areas of the province, as majority of the affected residents yesterday started to return to their respective homes.
State weather bureau PAGASA reiterated its warning of moderate with at times intense rains over northern and central portions of Negros province.
Records of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division show that almost 900 families, composed of 4,202 individuals residing in 52 barangays of eight affected local government units of Negros Occidental left their homes on April 11 and stayed overnight in different evacuation centers.
However, majority of them returned to their respective residences yesterday, PDRRM officer Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian said.
The flood-affected barangays are located in cities of Silay, Cadiz, Talisay, Victorias, Escalante and Sagay, as well as the municipalities of EB Magalona and Manapla.
Landslides were also reported in the hinterlands of Talisay, Silay and San Carlos cities, as well as in Manapla.
Because of high tide and continuous rains, more than 60 families opted to stay in evacuation centers of Cadiz and Talisay cities, PDMPD records further showed.
Classes and work in government and private offices in the cities of San Carlos, Escalante, Cadiz, Himamaylan and Sipalay will be suspended today, as well as in EB Magalona, where it was extended by Mayor Marvin Malacon.
SEA TRAVEL
Sea travel between San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and Toledo in Cebu resumed yesterday, according to provincial Coast Guard chief Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio.
However, the suspension of travel between Escalante City and Tabuelan in Cebu, as well as Sagay and Bantayan Island remains in effect due to bad weather.
Travel between Bacolod, Iloilo and Dumangas remains as is, Mercurio said.
LIVESTOCK DAMAGE
The Provincial Veterinary Office also reported more than P500,000 in damages to livestock in 21 barangays of Bago and La Carlota cities, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pulupandan and Pontevedra, all in the fourth district of Negros Occidental.
Damaged to crops in eight affected LGUs in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts of Negros Occidental, have yet to be determined by the Office of the Provincial Agriculture as of press time.*
