Flood waters inundate 19 Iloilo towns

Flood waters inundate 19 Iloilo towns

By Leonard T. Pineda I, Thursday 27th of December 2012

ILOILO CITY, Dec 27 (PIA) -- Nineteen municipalities in the province of Iloilo have been reported to be greatly affected by the heavy rainfall and flood brought by tropical depression Quinta.

Data from the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) revealed that the towns of Janiuay, Alimodian, Lambunao, Dueñas, Ajuy, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Anilao, Mina, Concepcion, Dingle, San Miguel, Cabatuan, Pototan, Balasan, Bingawan, Calinog, San Rafael, and the city of Passi were inundated by flood waters and residents evacuated to higher grounds.

Barotac Viejo Mayor Niel Tupas III said 30 patients were evacuated from the district hospital to the covered gym due to floodwater reaching six feet deep.

In Lambunao, five families were reported to be trapped after a landslide occurrence in Brgy. Jayubo, while two houses were totally damaged in Alimodian due to strong winds.

According to the PDRRMO, four are reportedly missing in northern Iloilo while two fatalities are confirmed in Lambunao and Barotac Nuevo.

PDRRMO Executive Director Jerry Bionat also reported that the water level has slowly subsided in most rivers in northern Iloilo after the heavy rainfall ceased and the typhoon signal was lifted in the province.

Bionat also said that residents in these affected areas should stay calm and remain in evacuation centers for the emergency response units are on their way to bring relief and rescue assistance.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Bañas advised residents to take necessary measures, although tropical storm Quinta is on its way out of the region and the province, but the flood waters are still present due to rains in the mountains.

“We should take necessary precautions against the effects of flood such as leptospirosis and other diseases,” said Bañas.

Banas, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. and Vice Governor Richard Garin are also closely monitoring the state of the province and they will assess the situation today whether it will necessitate the declaration of certain areas under the state of calamity. (JCM/LTP/PIA-ILOILO)

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