Heavy rains, flooding affect some provinces

Some areas across the country suffered from the effects of the inclement weather brought by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat enhanced by the recent tropical cyclones. 

In Negros Occidental, over 6,000 residents were evacuated due to severe flooding, based on an Unang Balita report of Bam Alegre. 

Some residents who were trapped inside their homes in Bacolod were rescued. Those who were residing in low-lying areas were advised to immediately evacuate when there are heavy rains.

The Malay local government also temporarily suspended the water sports activities in Boracay because of the bad weather. Tourists were allowed to swim but only in shallow water, while authorities were monitoring them. 

Meanwhile, passengers of a fast craft going to Dumaguete City on Sunday, September 15, were also in distress after their vessel was hit by strong big waves. 

The vessel went back to Bohol due to the bad weather. All passengers were safe. 

In Busuanga, Palawan, a boat coming from the municipality of Culion capsized. Its five passengers were rescued by volunteers. 

A bridge in Puerto Princesa was also impassable to motorists because of a raging river. This resulted in heavy traffic in the area. 

An aircraft also skidded off a runway in Pamalican Airport due to the heavy rains. Its 14 passengers were in safe condition.

A house in Barangay Daja Sur in Aklan collapsed due to an overflowing river. The Caticlan Public Market was also flooded.

In Pandan, Antique, some stores closed down and some vehicles got stranded due to the floods. 

The Coast Guard Station in Surigao del Norte has also temporarily suspended voyages of any type of vessel or watercraft 250GT and below in the following routes due to a gale warning advisory issued by PAGASA:

• From mainland Surigao del Norte bound for Southern Leyte
• From mainland Surigao del Norte bound for Province of Dinagat Islands
• From mainland Surigao del Norte bound for Siargao Island
• From mainland Surigao del Norte bound for Bucas Grande Island (except trips from Hayanggabon Port, Claver to Bucas Grande Island)

Heavy rains due to the Southwest Monsoon also overnight caused flooding in parts of Metro Manila.

Based on PAGASA’s latest bulletin, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted over 11 areas in Luzon after the low pressure area east of Aurora developed into Tropical Depression Gener. —Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA Integrated News