Dumaguete Gov’t Alerts Residents Against Flash Floods

The local government of Dumaguete City has alerted residents against flash floods as intermittent rains, sometimes lasting for hours, pose a threat to the community.

On Thursday morning, at least two spillways in the city were rendered impassable as the Banica River overflowed.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Jose Chu had updated on measures taken in anticipation of flash floods.

Relief goods are also prepositioned and ready for distribution while heavy equipment were mobilized to remove flood debris.

For the past days, light to moderate rains have soaked Dumaguete and other parts of Negros Oriental, attributed to the Low Pressure Area sighted off Mindanao and the tail-end of a cold front.

Roving patrols were also deployed to warn residents in barangays near the Banica River and Okoy River to be vigilant against possible flooding.

The Traffic Management Office had put up barricades at the spillways at Colon Extension (near Foundation University) and in Taclobo-Bagacay.

A flash flood alert was also issued to residents to immediately evacuate, prioritizing children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, in the event the river waters begin to rise to a threatening level. (PNA)LAP/JFP