ILOILO City – Several areas in this southern city and the province of Iloilo were confronted by flooding due to intense southwest monsoon (habagat) rains made worse by rising tides. Over a hundred families in at least 100 homes were affected by storm surges.
In Iloilo City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported yesterday that about 30 families in Barangay Santo Niño Sur, Arevalo district evacuated to the barangay gymnasium after waters inundated their houses.
In Barangay Santo Niño Norte, Arevalo, a house was totally damaged in Zone 6 and two others in Zone 1 were partially damaged.
In Barangay Ortiz here, a storm surge totally damaged two houses and partially damaged six others, displacing several families.
Also, officials from Barangay General Hughes reported that a house was totally damaged and 27 others were partially damaged affecting a total 34 families.
Members of the volunteer groups such as Mountain Tiger and Unicorn Rescue Volunteer Brigade and the personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection rescued several families in Zone 3, Barangay Boulevard, Molo district who were trapped in their respective houses due to flooding.
Meanwhile, almost all households in Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala Zone 1 here were inundated after the storm surge spillover from the seawall of the barangay coupled by high tide.
On Thursday, according to the CDRRMO, a total of 11 houses were destroyed – six totally damaged and five partially damaged.
These were in Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo (two totally damaged); Barangay Rizal Ibarra, City Proper (three totally and four partially damaged); Barangay Ortiz, City Proper (1 totally damaged); and Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz (1 partially damaged).
There were no evacuees on Thursday since affected families opted to stay with their relatives.
On the other hand, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents of Iloilo province especially on the southern tip to always be vigilant of strong winds and waves as these could severely impact houses located on the coasts and those made of light materials.
In Oton, 36 houses in Barangay Poblacion South were damaged.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported that 23 were totally damaged while 13 incurred partial damages affecting 36 families (composed of 143 individuals).
In Barangay Poblacion East, 10 houses were totally damaged while six partially damaged.
In Barangay Botong, three houses were totally damaged.
The affected families have also sought shelter from their relatives. The local government unit extended assistance.
In Guimbal town, seven houses were partially damaged affecting at least 28 individuals.
According to Dr. Jerry Bionat, PDRRMO chief, there were also reports of damaged fishing boats.
Some houses in Miag-ao town were also reportedly damaged.
The PDRRMO has also yet to receive reports of missing persons or casualties, said Bionat.
Moreover, Bionat urged those residing in coastal areas to be alert as the habagat may last until September.
“Asta ini sia normally September… It means three to four months and tapos sundan naman sang northeast monsoon (amihan). Sa pihak naman mahalin ang hangin sa Northern Iloilo pero mahina-hina ‘na sia as compared sa southwest monsoon,” said Bionat.
Bionat also advised residents, if possible, relocate to avoid the impending effects of habagat.
He, however, understands that the residents’ only livelihood solely relies on the sea./PN
