Bacolod city: Residents of Negros Occidental, including this highly urbanized city, have been advised to remain alert amid a heavy rainfall warning and possible sediment flows from Kanlaon Volcano as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised across the province due to Tropical Depression Verbena.
According to Philippines News Agency, as of 2 p.m., Negros Occidental is under a yellow warning, indicating that 'flooding is possible in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas,' as reported by the Visayas Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Services Division. The advisory urged the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to monitor the weather condition and await the next warning.
Under Signal No. 1, winds of 39 to 61 kilometers per hour may be expected within 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property. In response to the impending threat of Tropical Depression Verbena, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the pre-emptive evacuation of individuals and families in high-risk areas. He emphasized this as a precautionary measure considering the anticipated strong winds and continuous heavy rains from Verbena that may endanger residents in low-lying and hazardous areas.
Most local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have suspended face-to-face classes at all levels. The cities of Cadiz, San Carlos, and Victorias, along with the municipalities of Toboso and Calatrava in northern Negros, have also canceled classes on Tuesday.
In Bacolod City, Mayor Greg Gasataya held a pre-disaster risk assessment to ensure preparedness, especially in coastal and vulnerable areas. He stated that all response units are on standby, monitoring weather developments closely, and are ready to mobilize at a moment's notice. The City Engineer's Office has dispatched teams for preemptive clearing and declogging operations.
In a separate advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) indicated that heavy to intense rainfall could generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, sediment-laden streamflows, or muddy run-off, and related siltation in rivers and drainage areas on Kanlaon Volcano, which is currently at Alert Level 2. Phivolcs strongly recommended heightened vigilance and readiness of communities in pre-determined zones of lahar and related hazards. Prolonged heavy to intense rainfall could lead to life-threatening lahars and sediment-laden streamflows on major channels draining the southern, western, and eastern slopes of the volcano.
