MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Heavy rain due to the southwest monsoon hit Bacolod City on Friday night, September 22.
While there are no rainfall warnings over the city, state weather bureau PAGASA raised the yellow level warning over the nearby area of Negros Oriental as well as Occidental Mindoro in its 10:43 pm weather alert posted on Facebook.
PAGASA later terminated the said rainfall warning Saturday morning, September 23. But it added in a separate advisory that a low pressure area (LPA) near Quezon province is enhancing the monsoon, bringing rain over western sections of Visayas.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the heavy downpour since Friday afternoon have caused waist-deep floods in Barangays 39, 40, Mandalagan, Singcang-Airport, and Taculing.
Water level also reportedly went up in Barangays Pahanocoy and Alijis.
Affected residents were forced to take a respite at the public schools and other temporary shelters.
Leonardia said it is "very unusual" for the waters to quickly rise, as he attributed it to climate change. "It is a worldwide phenomenon," he added.
As of 11:30 pm, Leonardia had already ordered the residents of danger zones and low-lying areas to evacuate as a pre-emptive measure, for the high tide may trigger further flooding.
Moreover, the floods have also stranded many commuters and vehicles.
Leonardia said that trucks of the city government's contracted garbage hauler were utilized to pick up commuters.
"The priority (for them) right now is to help the stranded passengers," he added.
The state weather service also advised local disaster risk reduction and management councils to continue monitoring weather conditions in their area. – Rappler.com