1 dead as rains hit So. Negros

BACOLOD CITY – The body of a resident of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental was recovered on Sunday afternoon, a day after he drowned while crossing a river, a report from the local disaster risk reduction and management office said.

The victim was identified as Romelo Elefan, 36, a resident of Barangay Marina in the southern Negros town.

Police report said Elefan was swept by the strong current due to heavy rains while pushing a boat carrying his wife and child almost noon on Saturday.

His body was found by the search and rescue team in the neighboring Barangay San Juan more than 24 hours later.

Meanwhile, at least 48 houses were damaged in two villages also in southern Negros on Saturday due to severe winds caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon, a report from the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division

(PDMPD) said.

In Barangay Canroma, Pontevedra, four houses were totally damaged while 27 were partially damaged while in Barangay RSB, La Carlota City, three were totally damaged while 14 were partially damaged.

Also in Pontevedra, 30 families were affected by floods in Barangay San Juan.

On Monday, residents of Pontevedra and Valladolid and neighboring localities in Negros Occidental were warned of moderate to heavy rains with lightning and strong winds, based on the report from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

They were also advised to take precautionary measures against impacts associated with these hazards such as flash floods and landslides, it added.