• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Six persons died of drowning and electrocution after southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Crising brought floods in Negros Occidental since last week, a report of the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on Monday (July 21) showed.
PDRRM Officer Irene Bel Ploteña said four died of drowning in Binalbagan and cities of Himamaylan and Sagay while two others died of electrocution in Hinobaan.
Of the more than 31,000 residents of 18 local government units affected by flooding, 811 are still staying in the evacuation centers of Binalbagan, La Castellana, San Enrique and La Carlota City.
Their houses were either destroyed or damaged by the floods.
The PDRRMC also reported that 14 houses were destroyed while 121 others were damaged.
Damage to livestock, gamefowl, and poultry was estimated at P2.325 million, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Due to continuing inclement weather condition, face-to-face classes were also suspended in Isabela, La Castellana, Bago City, Pontevedra, and Hinigaran on Monday afternoon.
About 2,000 students of Sum-ag National High School in Bacolod City were also placed under modular learning because of flooding in the school campus.
State weather bureau PAGASA reported that Negros Occidental will experience moderate to heavy rains from Tuesday to Wednesday noon because of the continuing southwest monsoon.
PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area spotted east of Eastern Visayas.
While it is not affecting any part of the country, the weather bureau said it now has a “medium” chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours.
If the LPA becomes a tropical depression, it would be given the local name “Dante”. | GB
