PCG rescues 20 flood-stranded residents in Guimaras, Antique

ILOILO CITY – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel rescued 20 residents, including children, who were trapped by floodwaters during separate rescue operations in Guimaras and Antique just before dawn on Friday, July 24, as relentless rains triggered by the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Kiyapo inundated several communities in Western Visayas.

The Coast Guard said three families composed of 20 individuals were safely evacuated from flooded areas in Jordan, Guimaras, and Hamtic, Antique.

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In Sitio Nabagatan, Barangay Poblacion, Jordan, Guimaras, rescuers brought to safety a family of 10 after rising floodwaters surrounded their home at around 2:40 a.m.

Another rescue operation was carried out at 4 a.m. along the boundary of Barangays Guintas and Funda in Hamtic, Antique, where two families composed of 10 individuals became stranded after rapidly rising floodwaters cut off their evacuation routes.

Photos released by the Coast Guard showed rescue personnel carrying children on their shoulders, escorting residents through waist-deep floodwaters, and using flotation devices and lifebuoys to safely move evacuees to higher ground despite heavy rain and darkness.

The operations came as heavy monsoon rains continued to batter Western Visayas, prompting widespread flooding, rescue missions, sea travel suspensions, and class cancellations in several provinces./dp