• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that 157 families, composed of 370 individuals in five cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, have moved to safer grounds due to heavy rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon on Friday, Sept. 13.
These displaced families are seeking shelter in various evacuation centers while 14 more families, composed of 55 individuals, are staying with their relatives or in other houses.
Classes were also suspended in at least 25 local government units although it was business as usual in government offices.
Flashfloods were also reported in San Enrique and Valladolid towns.
Amid the inclement weather, there was no cancellation of sea trips although the Philippine Coast Guard discouraged fishermen using small boats to venture out in the sea.
As of noon on Friday, the PDRMMC 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, it is still enhancing the southwest monsoon, which is causing rain in parts of the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.
In its rainfall forecast, the state weather bureau said that Negros Occidental and Western Visayas will experience heavy to intense rain on Sept 14, and moderate to heavy rain in Negros Island Region on Sept. 15. | GB
