IN PHOTOS: Heavy rain causes flash floods in Negros Occidental

Heavy rain triggered flash floods in various areas of Negros Occidental on Saturday, January 9.

In an 11 am weather forecast Saturday by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), the tail-end of a frontal system or shear line continued to cause rain in Bicol and parts of the Visayas.

In Escalante City, responders from Escalante Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and Escalante City Fire Station rescued 5 individuals in Barangay Jonob-Jonob.

Photo from CDRRMO Escalante

Meanwhile in Talisay City, residents were evacuated from their homes on Friday night, January 8 following the waist-deep flood.

PAGASA on Friday night said that thunderstorms brought heavy rains in localities of Negros Occidental including Talisay,, Silay, E.B. Magalona, Victorias, Bacolod and Manapla.

Photo from Rey Ann Sapanta

In an initial report posted by Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares III on Facebook,  more than 200 families sought refuge in evacuation centers as of 12am on Saturday.

Photo from Talisay PIO

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), around 115 residents from Talisay City and Victorias City were evacuated by its members.

Photo from Philippine Coast Guard

The massive flooding also destroyed houses in some barangays in Talisay City. 

Photos from Talisay City CDRRMO

In Silay City, some houses in Central Hawaiian, Sitio Riverside were submerged in shoulder-deep flood.

Photo from Angel Faith Jayona

Online, netizens also amplified reports of rescue and relief using the hashtag #NegrosNeedsHelp. (READ: #ReliefPH: Help people affected by flash floods in Negros Occidental)

However, this is not the first time that the province experienced heavy flooding this year.

A week ago, over 4,000 families in the cities of Talisay, Silay, and Victorias, and EB Magalona town greeted the New Year with flash floods with affected families appealing for help. Talisay City was also placed under a state of calamity following the trail of destruction that the flooding brought.

As of January 6, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, along with concerned local government units and private partners, had given more than P1.5 million worth of assistance to affected families in Negros Occidental. The agency also provided an initial 390 family food packs to affected residents through the Silay City government. – Rappler.com