Two people reportedly died and more than 18,000 people were affected by flood across Western Visayas, with Roxas City in Capiz declaring a state of calamity, after Tropical Storm Ramil (known internationally as Fengshen) battered the region over the weekend.
In its latest report on Sunday, the Western Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said a total of 6,061 families or 18,470 individuals from 109 barangays in Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo were affected by the storm’s heavy rains and flooding.
Of these, 1,789 families (5,856 persons) took shelter in 100 evacuation centers, while 1,944 families (6,057 persons) were assisted outside the centers.
Authorities also reported two fatalities, both from Capiz province.
In Roxas City, a 44-year-old man drowned after he was swept away by floodwaters when his vehicle malfunctioned while crossing a flooded road. In Ivisan, a 22-year-old female drowned while trying to rescue her sister-in-law, who was struggling to cross a river swollen by heavy rains.
Both incidents were recorded by the Philippine National Police and are subject to validation by regional authorities.
“Roxas City was badly affected. They declared this afternoon a state of calamity.” Office of Civil Defense Region VI Information Officer Maria Christina Mayor told Manila Standard.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that 1,113 families in Iloilo required assistance, with 382 families (34.32%) already served through the distribution of aid valued at ₱274,026.
