Iloilo City – Landslides affected a number of barangays in Igbaras, Alimodian and Janiuay, Iloilo, and San Remigio, Antique because of prolonged rains last week. Some barangays were flooded in Kabankalan City and Valladolid, Negros Occidental, and San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
The southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat” with typhoon Hannah hovering over the PAR brought prolonged rains and this triggered the landslides and floods.
This was confirmed by Dr. Leilanie O. Suerte, geologist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region-6 (MGB-6), DENR.
Citing the situationer report of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Suerte said that in August 5, 2015, a landslide occurred at Sitio Kaylugan, Brgy. Atimonan, Janiuay, Iloilo. Area affected was more or less 1 hectare. The house of a family of 7 persons was totally damaged but there were no casualties. Farmlands in Brgy. Panuran were also affected by landslides.
In Brgy. Buenavista, Igbaras, landslides occurred on August 6, 2010, leaving the barangay chapel partially damaged. Five families and a total of 30 persons were affected and evacuated, Suerte said.
The road in Brgy. Ginomoy, Alimodian that serves as passage to 25 barangays was also affected by landslide. Landslide was also reported in Brgy. Tugaslon in Alimodian.
A landslide also occurred in Brgy. Maragubdub, San Remegio, Antique affecting some roads.
Suerte said that MGB-6 will inspect and re-assess the reported areas in the coming days.
“We also appeal to local officials to urge people that when large cracks are seen near their homes, they should immediately evacuate and report the matter to the barangay and municipal officials so they could monitor the area and residents could get help in evacuating. It is best that before a landslide occurs, people should temporarily evacuate places identified as landslide-prone at the onset of typhoons and rains.” Suerte said.
Floods also affected a number of barangays in Kabankalan City and Valladolid, Negros Occidental. In Brgy. Salong, Kabankalan City, a man was drifted away by the strong water current while crossing a creek, and was killed. Flood was also reported in San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan, CESO V said that the MGB-6 has distributed geohazard maps to the local government units to guide them in their disaster risk reduction and management plan.
“We also issue advisories to remind everyone of the threat of landslides and flooding in the event of typhoons, prolonged and heavy rainfall,” Juguan said. (LAA/MGB-6)