THE Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division in Negros Occidental warned everyone especially those in the landslide and flood-prone areas to be alert as Tropical Depression 'Inday’ has strengthened as it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
It may bring rains until Sunday, July 22.
According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecast, as of press time, 'Inday' now has maximum winds of 60 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 75 km/h from the previous 65 km/h.
Pagasa warned that ‘Inday’ could strengthen further into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours.
The heavy rains in the past two days have caused flooding and strong wind which has affected more than 13,000 individuals in southern Negros Occidental.
Records at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office showed that 11,020 individuals were affected in 12 barangays in Binalbagan; six barangays and 1,505 individuals in Valladolid; five barangays in Pulupandan with 232 individuals; and 450 individuals from five Barangays were affected from Himamaylan.
Two casualties were also reported in Cauayan.
Lolita Rivera, 82 years old, and Antonio Dela Cruz, 70 years old, drowned.
PSWDO head Elena Serenias said they distributed 375 family packs to the affected families.