CEBU, Philippines — While the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) do not see possible cyclone formations in the next two days, the downpour in Cebu Friday night until Saturday morning caused damage in several areas.
In Cebu City, flooding was reported in Sitio Riverside in Barangay Lorega; Sitio Lemonsito in Barangay Zapatera; and on General Maxilom Avenue in Barangay Kamputhaw.
Rains caused five “swollen rivers” in Barangays Malubog, Kamputhaw, Tinago, and T. Padilla with 17 individuals in sitio Pili in Malubog affected by floodwaters entering their houses.
Personnel of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) also rescued three people who got trapped under the Forbes Bridge in Barangay Ermita as water rose.
Meanwhile, trees fell in sitio Sugarlandia, Barangay Bacayan; Ma. Cristina Road, Barangay Capitol Site; and Pope John Paul Avenue, Barangay Kasambagan.
A landslide was reported in sitio Bakilid, La Guerta in Barangay Lahug.
In neighboring Mandaue City, heavy rains damaged the asphalted Lopez Jaena Street in Barangay Subangdaku, rendering half of the street impassable Saturday morning.
The Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) about the matter.
“Gi-investigate na ni ug nakig-coordinate na ta sa DPWH,” said Atty. John Eddu Ibañez, the mayor’s chief of staff.
PAGASA said Saturday that Visayas will continue to experience cloudy skies with rain showers and thunderstorms. Heavy rains may occur and can cause flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Wind and sea conditions are light to moderate and slight to moderate respectively.
PAGASA Visayas Weather Specialist Jhomer Eclarino cautioned against gusty and strong winds, as well as big waves, in the event of a thunderstorm falling at sea
In the next five days, Cebu will experience mostly cloudy to cloudy conditions with a high chance of rain showers and thunderstorms with the occasional occurrence of heavy rain.
Average temperature in Cebu Province is around 25 to 31 degrees celsius. - Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Jean Aldemer Seroje Salgados, Silliman University Intern, JMO (FREEMAN)