Two houses near a riverbank in Villa Soledad Subdivision, Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City were damaged when a landslide occurred at about 6 p.m. Thursday, Bacolod City Disaster Coordinating Council action officer Joemari Vargas, said yesterday.

The houses were owned by Virginita Olimba and her sister, a certain “Leny,” he said.

Vargas said the kitchen of the house of Olimba fell on Leny's kitchen that was located beneath it, when the soil supporting her house collapsed during heavy rains Thursday. He said he advised Olimba not to sleep in their house since it might collapse on the other house below.

Olimba was watching TV when she heard her kitchen fall but no one was injured in the incident, he added.

Vargas said the houses were made of concrete materials but they are located near the riverbank, so when it continued to rain, the soil beneath the house of Olimba gave way.

Olimba and Leny are temporarily staying with their father, Oscar Sanchez, he said.

Vargas advised other families living near the riverbank to vacate their homes if the heavy rains continue since they might erode the soil supporting their houses. There are about 50 houses in the area, he said.

Water level in the Magsungay and Lupit rivers also rose Thursday night, Vargas said.

He said they continue to monitor these rivers, and also the Banago Creek.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the monitoring being done by the city's Rescue 117 is on a 24-hour basis because the rains have continued to pour for several days already.

It is even alarming now since the weather report states that there is a low pressure entering the Philippine's area of responsibility and Tropical Storm “Pepeng” (international name: Parma) hovers near the main island of Luzon, Leonardia said.

This means that there will be continuous rain, he said, and he is advising the public to be vigilant, especially those living near riverbanks and shorelines, because if the rains continue and the soil softens, chances of landslides occurring are greater.

Leonardia also advised such residents to move to the nearest evacuation center if the rains continue.

So far, all barangay disaster management units have been alerted by the Patrol 117 and they already have a working arrangement with the Department of Education that if the rains and all other inclement weather conditions continue, the schools will be readied for evacuation, he said.

The mayor also reminded the public, especially the children to stay out of the rain, to avoid getting sick.

Meanwhile, Vargas said water rose to about two feet in an area in Brgy. Taculing, Thursday during heavy rains but it has already subsided.

Portions of Brgys. Banago, Bata, Pahanocoy, Alijis, Tangub and Brgy. 6 were also affected by flood yesterday.*CGS

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