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Monsoon dumps rainfall approaching that of Ondoy
MANILA, Philippines — Torrential rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon caused swift and severe flooding in key areas in Metro Manila yesterday, with roads rendered impassable and rivers reaching critical level.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 201.7 millimeters of rainfall dumped in the metro from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. yesterday.
“From noon to 2 p.m., the rainfall volume reached 138 mm. As a result, water levels quickly rose, causing flooding along various roads in Metro Manila,” the MMDA said.
In 2009, Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped 455 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, causing unprecedented, widespread flooding.
A red rainfall warning was raised by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Metro Manila, Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal and Cavite at 2 p.m.
As of 4:04 p.m., up to eight inches of floods were reported along Chino Roces Avenue in Taguig, Buendia Avenue in Makati, Marcos Highway SM Marikina Underloop in Marikina and EDSA Ortigas Service Road southbound in Mandaluyong.
Flooding about a foot deep was also recorded in the C3 Road corner North Luzon Expressway Connector in Caloocan City. It subsided as of 3:20 p.m., the MMDA said.
The MMDA deployed its Flood Control Team to clear clogged drainage systems in flooded areas and help reduce water buildup.
In Caloocan, flooding was reported along Manggahan Street and Rodriguez Compound in Barangay 180 and in the Dalandan area in Barangay 177, making the areas impassable to light vehicles. The Sampaloc Bridge and Doña Aurora Bridge had gutter-deep flooding but remained passable to light vehicles.
In Malabon, 14 flooded areas were monitored as of 1 p.m. Barangays Catmon, Sitio 6 and Tañong near F. Sevilla Central Market were not passable to light vehicles, with water reaching about 10 inches.
In San Juan, the river was at critical level at 13.88 meters as of 1:20 p.m. Under the guidelines on the alert levels in the San Juan River, critical means serious flooding is expected.
Marikina City has intensified its flood response using real-time mapping to direct emergency teams and high-capacity pumps as heavy runoff from upstream areas in Rizal province pushed Marikina River’s water level to second alarm.
The Marikina Public Information Office reported that the river’s water level reached 16.7 meters as of 2:34 p.m.
Navotas continued operating its pumping stations at full capacity ahead of a projected 1.6-meter high tide at 1:44 p.m. The city government also urged residents to properly dispose of garbage to prevent clogged waterways and disruptions to pumping operations.
Valenzuela maintained 100 percent operation of its pumping stations while monitoring flood-prone areas and responding to reported incidents.
Classes were suspended in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, San Juan, Marikina and Mandaluyong. Classes are also suspended today.
Makati, the country’s business capital, was badly hit by heavy downpour, leaving major roads flooded and commuters braving the waters just to get through.
Vehicles were prevented from crossing the EDSA-Magallanes Tunnel due to gutter-deep waters. Some motorcycles got stranded along the way.
The flooding created traffic bottlenecks on Skyway and South Luzon Expressway. The traffic jam at Skyway’s southbound off-ramp in Buendia (Gil Puyat) stretched to four kilometers.
The tailend of the vehicular traffic at Skyway’s Bicutan and Sucat exits also reached four kilometers.
Response teams
The Quezon City government deployed response teams yesterday with 263 families composed of 791 people staying in 16 evacuation centers in the city as of 3 p.m.
“Quezon City response teams are deployed in various areas to immediately respond to any incidents,” the city government said. “Meanwhile, the Emergency Operations Center remains operational to monitor weather conditions and situations in different parts of the city.”
Flooding was reported in several areas, including W. Riverside corner Pat Senador in Barangay Del Monte, Masambong Elementary School in Barangay Masambong, some parts of N.S. Amoranto in Barangay Sienna and East Riverside in Barangay Paltok.
Quezon City suspended face-to-face classes yesterday.
Alternative work
Government offices in Metro Manila and other provinces will continue to implement alternative work arrangements today due to expected heavy rainfall, according to Memorandum Circular 128 signed and issued by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
The order, which was also followed in Metro Manila and 12 provinces yesterday, was based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in view of heavy rainfall warnings by PAGASA.
Alternative work arrangements will be implemented in the National Capital Region and provinces of llocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna and Occidental Mindoro.
However, agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue their operations and render the necessary services, the memo said.
The suspension of work or adoption of alternative work arrangements in the private sector, meanwhile, is left to the discretion of management.
Fake circulars
Meanwhile, Palace press officer Claire Castro said concerned agencies are studying possible legal action against those who spread fake circulars suspending government work and classes.
A fake memorandum circulated online yesterday morning announcing the suspension of classes and work in government offices.
Bulacan flooding
The number of barangays in Bulacan still under floodwaters as of yesterday rose to 130 from 116 the previous day.
Meanwhile, Manuel Lukban Jr., the provincial disaster risk reduction management officer, reported that 2,570 families or 8,728 people are staying in 87 evacuation centers in the province.
Losses to livestock and poultry were placed at P3.2 million while agriculture and fisheries at P96.2 million. — Andrew Ronquillo, EJ Macababbad, Helen Flores, Janvic Mateo, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Rainier Allan Ronda
