Flashfloods hit Iloilo

ILOILO CITY – Almost 17,000 families were displaced as sudden flashflood swamped Iloilo City yesterday resulting from the heavy rains in the mountains caused by a typhoon.

The district of Jaro is the most affected area in this city compared to three other districts – La Paz, Mandurriao and Arevalo, that were hit by floods.

According to social welfare officer Norma Jimenea, most of the affected barangays are located in the areas of the Jaro and La Paz rivers. Others were affected after the swelling of the rivers.

Jimenea said most of the affected families were brought to evacuation centers where assistance in noodles, rice, sardines, bread and clothing were given.

Mayor Mansueto Malabor said the flood that started yesterday morning would keep on submerging more barangays in the city if the rains continue.

Public schools and barangay halls of the affected barangays were already turned into evacuation centers as more families were affected.

In the province of Iloilo, initial reports by the provincial DSWD, said several towns were also affected by the flashfloods yesterday.

The affected towns were identified as Pavia, Maasin, Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Janiuay, San Miguel, Zarraga, Leganes, Barotac Viejo, Sara, San Dionisio, San Enrique and Dueñas. Pavia was hardest hit.

Rescue teams were dispatched yesterday morning as more barangays in this city were affected by rising water from the rivers of Jaro district.

This is the third flashflood that hit Iloilo this year. The first was last July. Of 180 barangays in Iloilo City, flashflood submerged 47 barangays and displaced 16,172 families in this city.

The last one was last Oct. 29 where 49 barangays and 17,327 families in Iloilo City and nine towns in Iloilo province were affected by the flashflood. Capiz and Aklan provinces were also affected by the flood.