(2nd UPDATE) The number of people who died has risen to 36, while 68 others remain missing in Negros Occidental following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, which unleashed torrential rains, fierce winds, and flash floods across the province.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported late Wednesday night, November 5, that the fatalities and missing persons were recorded in La Castellana, La Carlota City, Murcia, Bago City, and San Carlos City.
In La Castellana, the Mayor Añejo Nicor reported on Wednesday morning that the number of fatalities had risen, up from the four initially reported by the town’s vice mayor.
Floodwaters inundated wide areas of Central Negros, including Hinigaran, La Carlota, Moises Padilla, and Isabela, where low-lying villages and communities along rivers were submerged overnight.
Several residents were trapped on rooftops and trees, as rescuers could not reach them due to the rising waters and worsening conditions.
In Binalbagan, Municipal Administrator Pablito Gonzales told Brigada News FM Kabankalan that flash floods early Wednesday morning, swept through almost all of the town’s 16 barangays.
He said one death was recorded in Barangay San Teodoro, adding to the provincial toll, and warned that the number could still rise as assessments continue.
Gonzales said the floods forced 4,992 individuals into evacuation centers by 8am.
He also reported that an overflow structure in Barangays Biao and Amontay was damaged by heavy flooding.
The town has been without power since Tuesday morning, while unstable telecommunications continue to hinder coordination, Gonzales said.
Portions of the national highway leading to Bacolod City remain flooded and impassable to light vehicles, as of posting time.
Rescued
Meanwhile, rescuers pulled to safety a busload of passengers trapped overnight between Hinigaran and Isabela after floodwaters engulfed the vehicle.
The passengers climbed onto the roof and waited for several hours before rescue teams arrived early Wednesday morning.
In southern Negros, local officials reported no typhoon-related fatalities, but thousands of residents were also affected by flooding, power outages, and displacement.
Local governments in Kabankalan, Himamaylan, and Sipalay continue to assist evacuees and assess damages to agriculture and infrastructure.
Clearing operations are also underway as Negros Occidental reels from the widespread devastation left by the typhoon.
Power restoration
Power utilities are racing to restore electricity across Central Negros. Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO) continues repairs in towns under its coverage, while Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC)—which serves parts of central Negros including Bacolod City—said only 14 percent of its service area had been restored, as of broadcast time.
NEPC Chief Operating Officer Engineer Bailey del Castillo said they aim to fully restore power by the weekend, adding that 217,000 of their 250,000 consumers remain without electricity.
Restoration teams, reinforced by MORE Power workers from Iloilo, are working round the clock to bring power back, he said.
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.