In a surprising turn of events just days before Christmas, flash floods caused by Tropical Depression Romina and the shearline displaced over 1,700 residents in northern Negros Occidental on Sunday night, December 23.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. expressed deep concern over the timing of the disaster, which struck just days before Christmas.
The city experienced severe flooding, forcing nearly 1,700 people from five villages to flee their homes. Barangay Burgos was the most affected area.
Among the worst affected was Villa Sagrado in Sitio Uso, where residents sought refuge on their rooftops as floodwaters rapidly rose. Many were rescued around midnight after enduring perilous conditions for hours.
The flash floods also rendered critical access roads impassable, including the Uso Bridge in Barangay Burgos and key areas in Barangay Daga, such as Sitios Umapoy and Troso.
The flash floods has also caused considerable damage in nearby towns, including Manapla and Victorias City. In Victorias, 37 individuals from 10 families were displaced, comprising senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities.
Victorias City Mayor Javier Benitez reported that by early Monday morning, floodwaters had receded, allowing most families to return home. However, those with severely damaged homes continue to need long-term assistance.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.