DUMAGUETE CITY (Philippines), Jan 1 (Bernama-PNA) -- Heavy rainfall from severe thunderstorms over the past few days triggered successive landslides and flooding in Bindoy, Negros Oriental, disrupting traffic as clearing operations continued on New Year’s Day, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Engr. Wilfur Herrera Jr., head of Bindoy’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), said as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the national highway in Barangay Malaga was only partially passable.
“We are working overtime to prevent prolonged traffic disruption. The road has been initially cleared to allow vehicles to pass one lane at a time on a controlled, alternating basis,” Herrera said.
Bindoy experienced flooding and landslides on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, though no casualties or displaced residents were reported.
On Tuesday night, heavy rain triggered a rock and mudslide along the national highway in Barangay Malaga, with flooding also affecting Barangays Poblacion, Domolog, Cabugan, Tinaogan, and Pangalaycayan. Clearing operations began immediately and continued through Wednesday morning, allowing traffic to resume after floodwaters subsided.
However, a larger landslide occurred just before midnight Wednesday, again blocking the highway in Barangay Malaga.
The provincial government of Negros Oriental has deployed heavy equipment and personnel to assist clearing efforts alongside teams from Bindoy, nearby Ayungon, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and a private contractor.
Herrera said damage assessments are ongoing, and data on affected houses are being consolidated for relief assistance.
-- BERNAMA-PNA
