Habagat forces evacuation of 1,518 families in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) yesterday reported 1,518 families in 15 cities and towns of Negros Occidental were evacuated as heavy rains due to enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat continues.

Of the 1,518, a PDRRMC report said, 1,321 families are staying in evacuation centers while the remaining 197 are seeking shelter elsewhere.

Flash floods were reported in the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Kabankalan, Himamaylan and Sipalay as well as in the towns of San Enrique, Valladolid, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, Cauayan, Ilog, Hinobaan and Moises Padilla.

Irene Bel Ploteña, provincial disaster management program division chief, said three bridges in Bago City were also reported not passable.

Ploteña added that landslides were reported in San Carlos and Sipalay cities.