By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – A 70-year-old man died, and 51 families were displaced due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in Barangay Cabugan, Bindoy, Negros Oriental, on Monday night.
Police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar, public information officer of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (Norppo), said the victim was swept away by floodwaters from the river after a portion of the segregated river control collapsed, following heavy rains since late Monday afternoon.
The victim was inside his house during the rain, but because of the flooding, his house made of light materials was also swept away by the strong river current.
When the responding team arrived, the victim had already been removed by his neighbors and brought to his sister’s house.
Polinar said he had no idea if the victim had a companion at home when the flooding occurred.
Meanwhile, the local government said in a Facebook post that 174 individuals were affected by the flooding.
Polinar said a bridge in the barangay collapsed after several days of rain, which may have contributed to the severe flooding.
As of 12 noon yesterday, Polinar said evacuees had already returned to their homes.
A 19-year-old boy was reported missing from Barangay Manseje, while a man was wounded by broken glass while securing his boat.
The local government also reported damage to livestock and crops such as corn, cassava, eggplants, and bananas.
During an early meeting with Mayor Eniego Jabagat, it was estimated that 70 percent of the water supply was damaged due to the flash flood.
Water pipes from the upland areas burst. Other water connections and pipes were carried away by the flood, which is why some coastal barangays lack water supply, according to the Bindoy information office.
A Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis is being conducted in the affected barangay to identify the damage and determine the assistance needed.
Polinar said the police and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) are coordinating to monitor the situation in case of further heavy rainfall.