Floodwaters rise in Bohol town; P1-M worth of crops damaged

CANDIJAY, Bohol—Floodwaters started to inundate several areas in this town on Saturday due to incessant rains spawned by Tropical Depression “Onyok.”

Jeryl Lacang-Fuentes, head of municipal disaster risk and management office (MDRMO) in Candijay, said eight villages were affected by flood. These were Barangays Boyoan, San Isidro, Lungsoddaan, La Union, Panadtaran, Pagahat, Tugas Cabiguhan and Poblacion.

The Pilar Dam overflowed, triggering floods that caught residents by surprise.

Fuentes said MDRMO had been warning residents in low-lying villages since Friday night but some refused to leave their homes. It was only in early morning that they decided to evacuate.

Fuentes said at least 36 residents of Sitio Tabunok, Barangay Panadtaran, were moved to Panadtaran Elementary School after floodwaters reached up to waist high. Residents said they were supposed to have a Christmas party on Saturday night and decided to hold it in the evacuation center instead.

Ermita Bual, municipal agriculturist, said affected by the floods were at least 100 hectares of crops worth P1 million which were supposed to be harvested in January.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific flight 5J619 and Air Asia flights Z2 354 and PQ 350 from Manila to Tagbilaran are cancelled due to bad weather.

Also Philippine Airlines flight PR2777 diverted its flight to Mactan-Cebu International Airport due to bad weather condition. Normal flights resumed on Saturday afternoon.