ROXAS City – Three of the 21 weather disturbances which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility directly affected Capiz through strong winds, moderate to heavy rainfall, floodwaters, landslides and class suspensions in 2018.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) records showed that tropical depression (TD) “Agaton,” from Jan. 1 to 3 last year, brought heavy rains that triggered flooding in the province.
About a thousand families, with their homes submerged in water, became New Year evacuees last year.
“Agaton,” which paved way for Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 1 to be hoisted in the province, prompted some affected local government units to declare a state of calamity.
Palay seeds and financial assistance, among others, were provided by the provincial government to affected farmers in the aftermath of the weather disturbance.
Another weather disturbance, TD “Samuel,” in November caused the province to be placed under TCWS No. 1 and compelled the local chief executives to declare a suspension of classes in various levels.
“Samuel” was recorded with eight flooded barangays in Sigma town, with 28 families evacuated to a nearby evacuation center in Barangay Poblacion in the municipality of Sapi-an as a preemptive measure in view of a possible landslide in the area.
Pagasa-Roxas City head Imelda Ofalla said that TD “Usman” induced continuous rains from Dec. 25 to 29 and left the province with at least 13 flooded towns and 87 waterlogged villages in Roxas City.
A landslide also occurred in Barangay San Vicente in Jamindan town, but was immediately responded to by the local government to clear the site for motorists.
The floodwaters forced about 174 families to evacuate, but they returned to their respective homes a couple of hours before New Year’s Eve.
All the three tropical depressions spared the Capiceños from any casualty based on records from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office during the period. (PIA/PN)
