• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
While Tropical Depression Basyang triggered pre-emptive evacuation in Negros Occidental on Feb. 6, there were no damage based on initial reports, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Irene Bel Ploteña said on Sunday, Feb. 8.
“This is because mostly light rains were experienced by the local government units across the province,” Ploteña explained.
PDRRMO records showed preemptive evacuations took place in the cities of Escalante, San Carlos, Sagay, Himamaylan, La Carlota, and Bago as well as the municipalities of Isabela, E.B. Magalona, La Castellana, Calatrava, Hinobaan, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Cauayan, and Toboso.
Muddy stream flow was observed at Ibid Creek in La Castellana town, the report further said.
The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region reported that 3,710 families, composed of 10,307 individuals, in Negros Occidental participated in pre-emptive evacuations.
Except for those affected by the Jan. 31 shearline-induced rains, majority of the evacuees have returned to their respective homes, Ploteña said.
Sea travel also resumed on Feb. 7 in various ports of Negros Occidental. | GB
