ILOILO City – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 has issued a caution regarding the potential impact of current weather disturbances, especially in areas prone to floods and landslides.
Melissa Banias, chief of the Operations Section at OCD-6, emphasized the importance of monitoring weather updates and staying vigilant, noting that heavy rains from non-typhoon weather disturbances could lead to flooding.
“We continuously advise those in low-lying and landslide-susceptible areas to be proactive. It’s crucial to regularly check their surroundings and stay updated with weather forecasts,” said Banias.
She highlighted the shear line predicted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to bring rain to northern Panay Island and parts of Negros Occidental this week.
According to PAGASA’s General Flood Advisory No. 8, the shear line affects the eastern Visayas. Potential impact zones include the following:
* Negros Occidental – rivers and their tributaries, particularly Malogo, Sicaba, Grande, Himogaan, Danao, Upper Tabanan, Sipalay, and Lower Ilog
* Antique – rivers and their tributaries, particularly Sibalom, Ipayo, Cagaranan, Palawan, Cairauan, Dalanas, and Tibiao
* Aklan – rivers and their tributaries, particularly Ibajay, Aklan and Jalo
* Iloilo – river and its tributaries, particularly Pinnantan, Barotac, Akalaygan, Jalaud, Jalano, Jagdong, Jalaur, llamunan, Jaro-Aganan, Sibalom, and Guimbal
* Capiz – rivers and their tributaries, particularly Panay, Mambusao, Panay Malinao, Alingon, and Nalantian.
Additionally, the OCD-6 is monitoring the northeast monsoon or amihan and tracking two low-pressure areas (LPAs).
“We’re not just monitoring typhoons. The shear line, LPAs, and monsoon rains are also under our watch,” Banias told Panay News.
Local government units (LGUs) and barangay officials, as frontline responders, have been instructed to use Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 6 maps to identify hazard-prone areas.
“We urge them to stay alert to the risks and initiate preemptive evacuations if necessary,” Banias said.
Flooding in Capiz, Negros Occidental
OCD-6 data showed that as of 2 a.m. on Nov. 19, 198 barangays in the region were at risk of floods and landslides, distributed among Aklan (159), Capiz (5), Negros Occidental (20), and Antique (14).
However, these numbers may change with MGB-6’s updates based on PAGASA’s forecasts.
In Capiz and Negros Occidental, reports of flooding have emerged.
“We’ve asked for precise measurements of the flood levels to understand the situation accurately,” Banias said.
While LGUs in these provinces have not reported any preemptive evacuations yet, the situation remains under close observation.
Banias also reminded fisherfolk to heed advisories from LGUs and government agencies to prevent drowning incidents, citing past casualties in the region despite the absence of typhoons.
The OCD-6 team remains fully engaged in providing timely weather updates, monitoring situations, and gathering data at their Operation Center./PN
