Dumaguete, other parts of Negros Oriental flooded after heavy rain

DUMAGUETE CITY (Philippines News Agency)  (UPDATE 1 12:18 a.m., January 17) — Heavy rain starting early Monday triggered flooding in Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental, causing authorities to deploy rescue teams and resources as residents also kept watch over rising waters in rivers and even in low-lying areas.

 

As the day progressed and the situation got worse, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo issued a directive anchored on Section 2 of Executive Order 66 that suspended classes at the pre-school, elementary and high school level across the province.

 

 

Adrian Sedillo, executive officer of the Negros Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) also announced that work in government offices were likewise suspended but it was discretionary on the part of the private sector.

 

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo also issued a similar order.

 

The Banica River and the Okoy River swelled and rose to threatening levels which sent residents along the banks to scramble to safety while others insisted on just staying put while watching the waters rise.

 

At the Okoy River, notorious for being a “killer” river because of its history of claiming lives during floods, breakwaters and dikes were damaged and trees toppled.

 

Some residents that were caught in the middle of the overflowing Okoy River were rescued.

 

The Ticala spillway leading to Barangay Ticala in Valencia town also overflowed, cutting off access to that area and nearby barangays.

 

Spillways in Dumaguete also overflowed, causing the diversion of traffic as these were sealed off to the riding public to avert any untoward incident.

 

The road leading to the slaughterhouse in lower Banilad, Dumaguete City also because a mini-river and murky water flowed down to the highway, causing flooding also in the areas at the national highway in Banilad.

 

Some residents in Sibulan are now seeking temporary shelter at an evacuation center after the swelling of the Okoy River, which flows down from the mountains through Sibulan towards the sea, according to Sibulan Mayor Pepe Abiera.

 

In Bacong town, the foundation of a newly built bridge at Bambulo Resort was washed out. The contractor, PhilSouth, could not be reached for comment.

 

Due to rough seas, smaller vessels like the fast craft and passenger motor bancas plying the Sibulan, Negros Oriental and Liloan, Cebu route were canceled, said Lt. Junior Grade Donna Liza Ramacho.

 

However, flat-bottomed barges were still allowed to travel across the Tañon Strait between both islands despite huge waves.

 

Authorities are warning people not to let their guard down and keep monitoring weather advisories.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in the morning announced a heavy rainfall warning advisory and a yellow alert level was hoisted over Negros Oriental.

 

A few hours later the alert level color was changed to orange, meaning, flooding is threatening in low-lying areas and landslides in mountains with possible landslides in mountainous areas.

 

The tail-end of a cold front and a low pressure area have triggered the massive rainfall in Dumaguete and other areas in Negros Oriental.

 

Degamo, chair of the PDRRMC, has advised the public to continue monitoring weather advisories and for the local DRRMCs to undertake pre-emptive evacuation when necessary.