• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
La Castellana residents living near waterways sought safer grounds on Sunday night (Aug. 31) after experiencing flashfloods, following an appeal made by Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan for them to evacuate.
Continuous rains caused water to overflow at Tamburong Bridge in Barangy Biak na Bato, where hardened lahar has been deposited following the series of eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano in the past year.
Mangilimutan reported the continued rising of water level in river channels of La Castellana as of press time.
The Protected Area Management Board of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park has allowed the dredging of volcanic debris from waterways, but not the hauling of material outside of the Kanlaon protected area,
Flashflood was also reported in low-lying areas of Sitio Pata-an in Barangay Mailum, Bago City.
Due to inclement weather, Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo and Mayor Emmanuel Aranda suspended classes at all levels in Isabela and Binalbagan, respectively, on Monday (Sept. 1).
Classes were also canceled in Himamaylan City and in La Castellana.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported that two low pressure areas and the southwest monsoon will continue to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to Negros Occidental on Monday.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Negros Occidental warned possible flooding in towns of Binalbagan, Cauayan, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra and San Enrique as well as in the cities of La Carlota, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan. | GB
