BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Provincial disaster czar Zaephard Caelian has issued a call for residents of Negros Occidental to be on alert for floods as heavy rains brought by two low pressure areas (LPAs) pound the country.
Caelian, who heads the Provincial Disaster Management Program, told DNX rains might bring about floods especially in low-lying or flood-prone areas as the LPAs induce rainfall, according to the 11pm advisory issued by state weather bureau PAGASA on 27 December 2020.
As of morning today, 28 December 2020, Caelian said floods have been reported in some northern Negros areas where one LPA has brought rains.
Northern Negros Occidental has seven cities and four towns over the length of a coastal highway at least 100 kilometers from here to the northernmost city of San Carlos.
Caelian said the other LPA might also bring rains to the southern part of the province.
The PAGASA advisory issued 11 last night reads in part:
“At 10:00 PM today, the Low Pressure Area over the West Philippine Sea was estimated based on all available data at 130 km West Northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (10.0°N, 117.6°E). Meanwhile, the Low Pressure Area east of Quezon was estimated at 115 km East Northeast of Infanta, Quezon (15.0°N, 122.7°E). Both weather disturbances remain less likely to develop into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours.
Hazards affecting land areas:
Tonight through tomorrow:
Moderate to heavy rains over the northern and eastern portions of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the eastern portion of Isabela, and Kalayaan Islands. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, and Palawan including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands.
Flooding (including flashfloods) and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall, especially in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards or in localities that received significant amount rainfall over the past couple of days or weeks. Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels. The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take appropriate measures and watch for the next update on this weather disturbance to be incorporated in the 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast at 4:00 PM today and 4:00 AM tomorrow.
