Tropical Cyclones Tested Capiceños’ Resilience in 2018

Three of the 21 weather disturbances which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility have directly affected Capiz through strong winds, moderate to heavy rainfall, floodwaters, landslides and class suspensions in 2018.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) records showed that tropical depression (TD) Agaton, from Jan. 1 to 3 last year, brought heavy rains that triggered flooding in the province.

About a thousand families with their homes submerged in water have become New Year evacuees last year.

Agaton, which paved way for Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 1 to be hoisted in the province, prompted some affected local government units to declare under the state of calamity.

Palay seeds and financial assistance, among others, to affected farmers were provided by the provincial government in the aftermath of the weather disturbance.

Another weather disturbance, TD Samuel, in November caused the province to be placed under TCWS No. 1 and compelled the local chief executives to declare suspension of classes in various levels.

Samuel has recorded eight flooded barangays in Sigma town and evacuated 28 families to a nearby evacuation center in Brgy. Poblacion in the municipality of Sapi-an as a preemptive measure in view of a possible landslide in the area.

PAGASA-Roxas City head Imelda Ofalla said that TD Usman – induced continuous rains from Dec. 25 to 29 left the province behind with at least 87 flooded villages in Roxas City and 13 towns.

A landslide incident in Brgy. San Vicente in Jamindan town was also immediately responded by the local government to clear the site to the public and among motorists.

The floodwaters forced about 174 families to evacuate but have returned to their respective homes a couple of hours before the New Year’s Eve.

All the three tropical depressions have spared the Capiceños from any casualty based on records from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office during the period. (LTP/AAL/PIA Capiz)