Bad weather sends people to evacuation centers in Visayas, Mindanao

Hundreds of residents in the Visayas and Mindanao were affected by heavy rains and floods brought by Intertropical Convergence Zone over the weekend, television reports said Monday.

A report on GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” said flood in Bayawan City and Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, reached the roofs of houses after rivers in the area swelled due to persistent heavy rain.

The residents were rescued and brought to covered courts, chapels and schools, which served as evacuation centers, the report said. Classes in all levels were suspended Monday due to the flood.

Elsewhere in the Visayas, some 60 houses were affected by flood in Sitio Litmon, Brgy. Dumlog, Talisay, Cebu, while three houses were destroyed by big waves, “Unang Balita” reported Monday morning. A house was also damaged in Brgy. Kasunhong.

The report quoted residents as saying that waves started to get stronger and bigger around 10 p.m. Sunday. They said the waves came despite the absence of rain and wind.

The local government is surveying other coastal barangays to determine other affected areas.

Due to bad weather, the operation of sea vessels from Cebu to Bohol and back were cancelled.

Ormoc City in Leyte was also affected by heavy rains Sunday night. Several residents were stranded in churches when the rains started pouring around 7 p.m. and lasted until 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, at least 20 houses and a bridge in Brgy. Kabangahan, Bukidnon, were destroyed due to heavy rains which caused floods in the area. No one was reported hurt or killed, but affected residents were brought to evacuation centers.

Flood also displaced families staying at Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex, the biggest evacuation center in Zamboanga City, which had been under rebel attack recently. The evacuees were transferred to schools not affected by floods.

In North Cotabato, flood rendered the national highway impassable. Authorities closed the road and loaded the stranded motorists to Army vehicles.

In Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao, six barangays were flooded. — Amita O.  Legaspi/KBK, GMA News