Thousands displaced by flash floods in Negros Occidental

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Thousands have been displaced by flash floods caused by Tropical Storm Egay in this province,  authorities said on Monday, July 6.

Zeaphard Caelian, chief of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, also said that two people were killed in flash floods in the province. It was not clear, however, whether one of the casualties was caused by the storm.

Caelian said heavy rains and strong winds brought by Egay over the weekend has affected 608 families or 2,432 individuals in 4 villages of Villadolid town alone – Tabao Proper, Poblacion, Ayungon, and Mabini.

Caelian said the local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council is attending to the needs of the displaced families.

He also said that local disaster responders discovered the body of a flash flood casualty, who remains unidentified, in a river in Talubangi, Ilog town, on July 5.

Another fatality was discovered on July 1, identified as Stephen Gadoy Vicente of Purok 2, of Caliling village in Cauayan town. The incident was only reported to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office days later.

Caelian said that Gadoy was reportedly crossing the river when he was swept away by raging waters, and his body was later found in the river. It was not clear, however, whether the incident was caused by Egay, which had only developed into a tropical depression over the Philippine Sea on July 1.

The local official also said that the flooding also toppled trees and caused brownouts in some areas.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr advised fishermen and those living in  coastal villages not to go out to sea because of the bad weather.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are still ongoing for the 7 missing fishermen from Victorias City. (READ: Egay hinders search for missing fishermen)

As of Monday night, the fishermen have yet to be found 4 days after their boat  capsized in waters between the Islas de Gigantes in Panay and Madridejos town in Bantayan Island, Cebu. – Rappler.com