Flooding, brownouts hit city due to storm
Ten of the 180 barangays in the city were affected by flood water as a result of the tropical storm Caloy over the weekend. Major thoroughfares in the city were also flooded because of heavy rains and clogged drainage system.
The initial report of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Saturday afternoon showed that the barangays affected by flood waters were Barangays Camalig, Montinola, Kalubihan and Cuartero in Jaro; Magsaysay and Alalasan in La Paz; Yulo Drive, So-oc Arevalo and Mohon in Arevalo and Barangay Airport in Mandurriao.
The ten barangays were just the first batch of barangays recorded by CSWDO. The final report of the affected barangays are expected to be completed today, Monday. No report of injuries or loss of lives was recorded in the city.
The level of water in the affected barangays varies. Some of the affected areas are considered low-lying areas while others were affected by flood waters because of the poor and clogged drainage system in the city.
Iloilo City was not directly under a storm signal yet it experienced heavy rains and strong winds. Most of the barangays suffered from brownout Friday and Saturday.
Cebu Pacific also canceled its afternoon flight from Manila to Iloilo City. The airplane was already in Iloilo but the pilot decided to return to Manila because of the zero visibility at the runway of Iloilo Airport.
The Philippine Coastguard also suspended all sea transport from Iloilo to Guimaras and Bacolod City on Friday. Regular trips however returned the following day.
The heavy rains since Thursday until Friday caused flood in the streets of General Luna, Tanza-Bonifacio, Mabolo Delgado, Jalandoni, Delgado Quezon, Fuentes Ledesma and Valeria. The flood waters hit the streets Friday afternoon which prompted some of the drivers to stop from plying their routes. Drivers feared that flood water might reached their engines. Several passengers were stranded and decided to walk to their respective destinations.
Other than the streets, the La Paz market and Iloilo Central Market were also affected by flood waters. The different terminals in the city particularly in Tagbac were also affected by floods waters. The terminals became muddy after the rains stopped.
Last Friday evening, residents who are living near the creeks and rivers were advised to move to the higher ground after the level of water in Jaro river rose even before the high tide hits midnight. The residents felt relieved after the water level subsided.
While, some of the fire victims in North Baluarte returned to Baluarte Elementary School to seek shelter after the roofing of their newly-built houses were blown by strong winds.