Massive flooding hits Capiz, Aklan; 2 boys drown
A number of towns in the provinces of Capiz and Aklan were flooded until the weekend following heavy rains since the middle of last week, claiming two lives, rendering some roads impassable and leading schools to suspend classes and offices to close.
In Capiz, two boys drowned in separate incidents, according to a report of the Philippine News Agency, quoting the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
Ten-year-old Greggy de los Santos, a third grader, died Thursday after falling from a footbridge in Brgy. Dapdapan, Sapian town.
Richard Diestro, 15, of Tabuc Sur, Panit-an, Capiz, was carried away by strong current while crossing a river.
The PDRRMC in Capiz has remained on alert as it mobilized various municipal disaster councils to closely monitor the rising water level in low-lying areas.
PDRRMC chief Joe Daradar said the flash floods brought by heavy rainfall since Wednesday evening affected 108 barangays in 11 municipalities in Capiz.
These include the towns of Pontevedra, Panay, Panit-an, Maayon, Sigma, Mambusao, Dumarao, Jamindan, Tapaz, Cuartero and Dao, where most of barangays went under water.
In Panay, 13 barangays were affected while in Pontevedra, eight barangays were flooded, affecting 66 families who took refuge in two designated evacuation centers.
Massive flooding were also reported in Panit-an, affecting 399 families in 18 barangays; Sigma, 1,053 families in 15 barangays; Mambusao, 1,844 families in 15 barangays; Dao, 20 barangays; Maayon and Cuartero, seven barangays each; Jamindan, eight barangays; and, Tapaz, two barangays.
The displaced families took shelter in various evacuation centers in their respective towns.
Bus in Near Mishap
Meanwhile, a Ceres bus almost turned turtle while negotiating a flooded highway in Panit-an, Capiz while traveling from Estancia, Iloilo to Roxas City early Friday evening.
The driver was attempting to drive through a flood in Brgy. Agkilo, Panit-an when the vehicle’s engine malfunctioned and strong current caused the bus to tilt on its side, causing passengers to panic and jump out of the window.
No one was hurt.
Farmers Affected
In Roxas City, City Administrator Gilbert Tan said the flood also affected 356 farmers, based on the records of the City Agriculture Office.
Some 380 hectares of agricultural crops and fishery products have been damaged by flash flood in eight barangays, including Adlawan, Loctugan, Bago, Laot, Bolo, Milibili, Li-ong and Cabugao.
Tan some 90 families have been displaced by the flood, particularly in the coastal areas of the city and in the villages of Dumolog, Cogon, Punta Cogon and Baybay.
Classes Suspended, Offices Closed
In Aklan, elementary school classes in three towns were suspended late last week after flood waters rose.
Schools Division Superintendent Victoria Laroza’s office said that principals of the schools in Banga, Numancia and Kalibo towns were allowed to decide to suspend classes.
On Thursday, some schools in Kalibo started suspending classes because of the flood that was worsened by the town’s clogged drainage system.
The Office of Civil Defense Regional Office 6 said the Aklan River did not overflow despite the heavy downpour although villages most affected by the flooding were those near the river.
Also, on Friday some government offices, banks and other private firms in Kalibo closed, according to the PNA report.
The Municipal Disaster and Coordinating Council reported that the flooded areas include Desposorio Maagma St., Mabini St., Crossing Rotunda, Osmena Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Toting Reyes St., and Kalibo Public Market.
Residential subdivisions in Brgys. New Buswang, Andagao and Estancia also experienced flooding.*NLG with reports from PNA
