Red, orange rainfall warnings raised over Iloilo as habagat intensifies

INQUIRER FILES ILOILO CITY — Most of Iloilo province, including Iloilo City, was placed under the highest heavy rainfall warning Friday morning as the southwest monsoon (habagat) intensified, raising the threat of serious flooding across Western Visayas. In Heavy Rainfall Warning No. 3 issued at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 24, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed much of Iloilo under the red warning, indicating that serious flooding is expected. The red warning covers Iloilo City and the municipalities of San Joaquin, Miagao, Barotac Viejo, Banate, Ajuy, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Tubungan, Igbaras, Guimbal, Tigbauan, Oton, Leganes, Pavia, San Miguel, Leon, Alimodian, Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, New Lucena, Zarraga and Pototan. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Kiyapo putting 6,947 barangays at risk of landslides, floods — OCD Also under the red warning are the entire province of Guimaras and several municipalities in Antique, including Belison, San Jose, Hamtic, Tobias Fornier, Anini-y, Sibalom and San Remigio. Pagasa warned that communities under the red warning should brace for dangerous flooding in low-lying areas and along river systems as heavy rains persist. Meanwhile, the orange warning, where flooding is considered threatening, was raised over the Iloilo towns of Janiuay, Maasin, Badiangan, Mina, Dingle, Ajuy and Concepcion. In Antique, Patnongon, Barbaza, Laua-an, Bugasong and Valderrama were also placed under the same alert level, along with portions of Negros Occidental. An orange warning means residents should closely monitor the situation as flooding may already be occurring or could develop rapidly, particularly in flood-prone communities. Article continues after this advertisement Amid the worsening weather, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas suspended face-to-face classes from preschool to senior high school in both public and private schools on Friday. Schools were directed to shift to the appropriate alternative learning mode. The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also reported that 66 millimeters of rainfall had fallen over the city during the previous three hours, while forecasting occasional rains throughout the day due to the southwest monsoon. The city is expected to experience moderate southwesterly winds of 25 to 30 kilometers per hour and a 90 percent chance of rain. Article continues after this advertisement Authorities urged residents in areas covered by the red and orange warnings to remain alert, avoid crossing flooded roads and swollen rivers, and prepare for possible evacuation should floodwaters continue to rise. /das Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.