Iloilo City stays on blue alert as heavy rains, flooding loom

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo City remained under Blue Alert on Friday as weather authorities warned that the southwest monsoon (Habagat), enhanced by Typhoon “Inday” (international name: Bavi), could bring moderate to heavy rains and possible flooding across parts of Western Visayas despite the typhoon continuing to weaken while moving away from the country.

The Blue Alert, raised by the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center (EOC), keeps all disaster response clusters on heightened readiness as the city braces for rain-related hazards even as the cyclone accelerates northwestward over the sea east of Batanes.

READ: Iloilo City on blue alert as Inday threatens Northern Luzon

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In its Rainfall Advisory No. 10 issued at 8 a.m. Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas Regional Services Division said the southwest monsoon continues to affect large portions of Western Visayas.

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Among the areas expected to experience rainfall were several municipalities in Iloilo province, including Lambunao, Janiuay, Sara, Balasan, Calinog, Passi City, Bingawan, Lemery, Badiangan, Dueñas, San Enrique, San Rafael, Barotac Viejo, Banate, Anilao, Dingle, San Dionisio, Batad, Estancia, Carles, Concepcion and Ajuy.

Pagasa also warned that rains are expected to spread to additional areas, including Iloilo City, Leganes, Pavia, Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miagao, Dumangas, Pototan, Mina, Cabatuan, New Lucena, Zarraga, Santa Barbara and several other municipalities.

The advisory likewise covered neighboring provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, as well as portions of Cebu and Bohol.

A separate General Flood Advisory No. 5 issued by Pagasa’s Hydrometeorology Division warned that moderate to heavy rains may raise river levels and cause flash floods in Western Visayas.

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For Iloilo, authorities identified rivers and tributaries in Pinantan, Barotac, Aklayagan, Jalaud, Jalalud, Jagdong, Jalur, Lamunan, Jaro-Aganan, Sibalom and Guimbal as waterways that could be affected.

Residents living near rivers, mountain slopes and low-lying communities were advised to remain alert for possible flash floods and rapidly changing weather conditions.

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The rainfall advisories came as the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center reported that the city remains under Blue Alert and conducts continuous 24-hour monitoring of weather developments, emergency incidents, flood sensors and closed-circuit television cameras across the city.

READ: 592 stranded, 150 vessels seek shelter as Inday disrupts sea travel

Although rainfall remained relatively light within Iloilo City as of 6 a.m., with monitoring stations recording only 0.4 millimeter to 3.5 millimeters of rain over the previous 12 hours, authorities said preparedness measures remain in place because the enhanced southwest monsoon could still produce periods of intense rainfall independent of the typhoon’s center.

Emergency response agencies, including the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Iloilo City Police Office, City Engineer’s Office, General Services Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and partner agencies, have kept personnel, ambulances, rescue vehicles, boats, heavy equipment, and other emergency assets on standby.

Barangay Emergency Operations Centers throughout the city’s seven districts have also been activated, while health teams, search-and-rescue units, and public works personnel continue to monitor conditions and prepare for possible deployment.

READ: Typhoon Inday: Wind signals hoisted in more areas in Northern Luzon

Mayor Raisa S. Treñas earlier approved the suspension of in-person classes from preschool to senior high school in both public and private schools in Iloilo City on Friday due to the persistent heavy rains brought by Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

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City disaster officials urged residents to continue monitoring official weather bulletins and advisories, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours, and immediately report flooding or other weather-related emergencies to authorities./coa