• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negrenses have been warned on heavy rains in the next several days due to Tropical Depression Crising and enhanced southwest moonson.
In an advisory, state weather bureau PAGASA reported heavy rainfall of 50 to 100 mm on Thursday (July 17) and 100 to 200 mm on Friday (July 18) and Saturday (July 19).
According to PAGASA, TD Crising is being forecasted to reach Tropical Storm category Thursday morning.
It added that further intensification up to typhoon category is not ruled out.
The Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) was also placed in blue alert status Wednesday.
CDRRMO head Ana Marie Pornan urged heightened vigilance against forecasted heavy rains.
She urged barangay officials in flood-prone areas to implement preventive measures, prepare evacuation protocols, and maintain 24/7 readiness with emergency responders.
More than 400 families were recently affected by floods in Bacolod City.
Meanwhile, there will be no classes Thursday in all public and private schools in Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Cauayan, and Hinoba-an while suspension of classes are extended to July 18 in Binalbagan, Sipalay City, Calatrava and until further notice in Isabela and La Castellana.
Hinoba-an Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias said he suspended classes Thursday afternoon due to heavy rains and strong winds, noting also the rising water levels in rivers while some of the barangays are prone to landslide.
Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson said that landslide is possible in highly-susceptible areas.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also said that forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas.
Moreover, impacts in some areas may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall, it added. | GB
