Philippines – Flash Floods Destroy Dozens of Homes in Western Visayas

An area of low pressure across central Philippines brought heavy rain and flash flooding to parts of Western Visayas Region. The city of Bacolod in Negros Occidental province was the worst hit area, where officials say over 8,000 people were affected.

The flash floods were triggered by heavy rain that began on Friday, 22 September. Flood water was waist deep in some areas, according to local media. City streets were flooded and drivers and commuters left stranded.

Fourteen barangays (districts) were affected in the city, with over 100 homes were damaged and 92 destroyed, according to Philippine News Agency (PNA). On Friday evening, Mayor of Bacolod, Evelio Leonardia, ordered an evacuation of residents in high-risk areas as a pre-emptive measure.

The flood water began to recede on Saturday, 23 September. However, many families remain in temporary accommodation, mostly local public buildings, where the city government has been distributing relief supplies.

According to PNA, some flooding was also reported in other areas of Negros Occidental including Sipalay City, Bago City, Talisay City, La Carlota City, Hinobaan, Murcia, Binalbagan, and Pontevedra.

Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), reported in a Flood Advisory of 23 September that” the heavy rain in Negros Occidental was likely to increase rivers in the area, in particular the Malogo, Sicaba, Grande, Himocaan, Danao, Upper Tyabanan, Sipalay and Lower Ilog”.

Bacolod was hit by flash floods in August last year.

Rainfall

Significant rainfall figures for parts of the Philippines over the last few days.

WMO rainfall figures for a 24 hour period to 22 September

• Guiuan, Eastern Samar – 102 mm

WMO rainfall figures for a 24 hour period to 23 September

• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro – 121 mm
• Surigao City, Surigao del Norte – 75.4 mm
• Legazpi City, Albay – 57 mm

Social Media

The first time it become this flooded in Bacolod.. its been raining hard the whole Day. Front of Gaisano City pic.twitter.com/v84kHboeKO

— Tim Dela Cruz (@iamtimtamtim) September 22, 2017

https://twitter.com/dyoonep/status/911250307878813696

Flooding incident at Negros Occidental. Ongoing evacuation & distribution of hotmeals at Bacolod City HS. Water level as high as neck level pic.twitter.com/QD0Ur3eD0E

— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) September 22, 2017

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