2 girls drown, 531 families affected by flash floods in Negros Occidental
Two girls drowned in floodwaters while 531 families were affected by continuous raining brought by tropical storm Butchoy in Negros Occidential.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Angel Gaviola identified the drowning victims as Melanie Elardes and Marilyn Oliverio, both 15 years old, who were crossing a bridge when the flash floods occurred Monday morning in Barangay Guilungan, Cauayan.
Gaviola said the body of Oliverio had been recovered while a search and rescue operation is still ongoing for Elardes.
The affected 531 families or 2,655 residents were from the barangays of Calubang, Vista Alegre, Dancalan, Andulawan and Delicioso, all in the municipality of Ilog.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Negros Occidental have extended assistance to the affected families.
Gaviola alerted residents living near the mountain slopes and river course for possible occurrence of flash floods and landslides as another low pressure area has been detected.
The local disaster coordinating councils of the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo in Panay island and of the cities of Sipalay, Kabankalan, Himamaylan and La Carlota, Bago and Bacolod in Negros Occidental are being advised to monitor the situations and to take appropriate actions when needed. (PNA)