ILOILO City – All the 180 barangays in this city are susceptible to flooding, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 6.
They have different levels of susceptibility – very high, high, moderate, and low – based on the updated detailed (1:10,000 scale) geohazard map of the city prepared by MGB-6.
A barangay is deemed with “very high” flood susceptibility if its floodwater level exceeds two meters and is lingering for more than three days.
On the other hand, floodwater level reaching one to two meters high and lingering for over three days means the barangay’s susceptibility to flooding is “high.”
Areas with “very high” and “high” flood susceptibility are immediately flooded during heavy rains of several hours; have topographic lows such as active river channels, abandoned river channels, and areas along river banks; and are prone to flashfloods.
Of the 180 barangays, 37 have “high” to “very high” susceptibility to flooding. These are found in Jaro district, eight in Mandurriao, one in the City Proper, and one in Arevalo.
In Jaro, nine barangays have “very high” risk to flooding – Calubihan, Buhang, Dungon A, San Isidro, Sambag, Ungka, Lanit, Buntatala, and Tagbak.
The Jaro villages with “high” flooding risk, meanwhile, are Montinola, Taytay Zone 2, Desamparados, Cuartero, Ma. Cristina, San Roque, Simon Ledesma, Democracia, Tabuc Suba, Cubay, Balabago, MV Hechanova, Quintin Salas, Tacas, Dungon B, Camalig, Arguelles, and El 98.
In Mandurriao, the villages with “very high” susceptibility to flooding are Tabucan, Bakhaw, Buhang Taft North, and Santa Rosa.
Barangays deemed with “high” flood exposure risk are San Rafael, Bolilao, PHH Blk. 17, and PHH Blk. 22.
In the City Proper and Arevalo, the barangays with “high” susceptibility to flooding are Magsaysay and So-oc, respectively.
Meanwhile, moderate flood susceptibility areas are likely to experience flood heights greater than 0.5 meters up to one meter and/or flood duration of one to three days. These areas are subject to widespread inundation during prolonged and extensive heavy rainfall or extreme weather condition. Fluvial terraces, alluvial fans, and infilled valleys are areas moderately subjected to flooding.
On the other hand, low flood susceptibility areas are those likely to experience flood heights of 0.5 meters or less and/or flood duration of less than one day. These areas include low hills and gentle slopes. They also have sparse to moderate drainage density.
Iloilo City has 25 coastal barangays, five of which are vulnerable to storm surges. These are San Juan and Calumpang in Molo and Calaparan, Sto. Niño Norte and Sto. Niño Sur in Arevalo./PN
