Canlaon City Halts Search for Missing Persons as Typhoon Uwan Approaches
BACOLOD CITY — The search and retrieval operations for the five individuals still listed as missing after Typhoon Tino were suspended on Sunday, Nov. 9, as the eye of super typhoon Uwan loomed closer to Negros Oriental. Local authorities cited safety concerns and improving weather forecasts to justify pausing the intensified rescue efforts until conditions permit a safer, more effective operation.
Context: Typhoon Tino and the Ongoing Search
The five missing persons were among those displaced or caught in floodwaters and landslides triggered by Typhoon Tino earlier in the week. Communities in Canlaon City and neighboring municipalities have faced renewed peril as heavy rains continued to pound parts of the island province. Rescue teams, drawn from police, military and municipal disaster risk reduction councils, had been coordinating around the clock to locate the missing and assess damage. With Uwan’s arrival forecast, authorities say it is prudent to pause non-urgent search activities to avoid placing responders at unnecessary risk.
What Pausing the Search Means for Families
For families waiting for word on their loved ones, the pause adds uncertainty. Officials emphasized that the decision is temporary and designed to protect both search crews and the public during extreme weather. In recent days, families have gathered at relief centers, sharing stories, updates, and hopeful timelines for when operations might resume. Local media have chronicled the emotional toll of the delays, underscoring the human side of disaster response beyond the technical search effort.
Weather-Driven Decisions
Disaster response experts note that effective search operations depend on stable conditions, reliable communication networks, and safe access to affected zones. Heavy rainfall can quickly degrade roads, raise river levels, and trigger new landslides. Typhoon Uwan’s predicted path across the region prompted safety briefings that recommended delaying risky maneuvers, particularly in areas where access roads have been compromised or where weather systems could rapidly deteriorate the field conditions.
Future Plans and Community Resilience
Authorities have signaled that once the weather permits, search and retrieval activities will be resumed in a coordinated, staged manner. The priority will be to clear access routes, re-establish communications with field teams, and systematicize sweeps in locations most likely to yield new information. In parallel, relief efforts continue for those displaced by the storms, with shelters operational and supply lines monitored to prevent shortages.
Local and National Support
Negros Oriental’s provincial and municipal leaders are collaborating with national agencies to ensure a unified incident response. Training and drills conducted in the months prior to the typhoon season have helped responders remain ready to shift from rescue to recovery, but the unpredictable nature of severe weather remains a constant challenge. The incident also highlights the importance of robust early warning systems, evacuation planning, and post-disaster documentation to guide future improvements in emergency management.
What Residents Should Do
Residents are advised to monitor official weather advisories and heed evacuation orders if issued. Families in affected communities should maintain emergency kits, stay in safe locations, and report any new missing-person concerns to local authorities. While searches are paused, spare resources can be redirected toward safeguarding shelters and ensuring essential services remain available to those in need.
Bottom Line
As Typhoon Uwan approaches, Canlaon City and surrounding areas prioritize safeguarding lives over rapid on-the-ground searches. The pause reflects a careful balance between ongoing disaster response needs and the paramount importance of responder safety. Officials affirm that once conditions allow, the search for the five missing individuals will resume, with renewed planning and coordination focused on delivering answers to anxious families and restoring a sense of security to the community.
