Floods hit Camarines Sur, Negros Occidental towns, cities

Heavy rains stirred by a cold front brought floods to several towns and cities in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Negros Occidental on Friday.

In Camarines Sur, a big part of Naga City and several towns were hit by up to waist-deep floods.

Rains started pouring on Thursday night, prompting officials to suspend classes in all levels in private and public schools.

The state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the rains were brought by what it said were localized thunderstorms caused by the tail end of a cold front which also hit parts of Quezon province, the Bicol region and Negros Occidental.

In Catanduanes, police said two persons were injured in a landslide in Viga town.

Senior Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said the landslide swept a truck into a river.

The Department of Public Works and Highway also reported two landslides in two villages—Caguisan and Patrocinio—in the town of Lagonoy in Camarines Sur.

Roads, bridges and spillways in the town were not passable.

The Naga City government evacuated at least 300 families yesterday morning.

Naga Mayor John Bongat blamed the flooding in some areas on road-widening projects.

In Negros Occidental, flooding hit three cities and a town in the third district, forcing the evacuation of residents in some areas.

A house was destroyed and a landslide briefly rendered a road in Silay City impassable.

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, of Victorias City, said 3,000 families were hit by the flooding in his city.

Palanca ordered classes in all levels suspended.

In Talisay, 142 families were hit by floods and a house was destroyed.

In E.B. Magalona town, floods swamped the homes of 50 families, Mayor Marvin Malacon said. —JUAN ESCANDOR JR., MAR S. ARGUELLES, REY ANTHONY OSTRIA, STEPHANIE FLORIDA AND CARLA P. GOMEZ