Metro Manila and Luzon Turns into Waterworld
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| Marikina River |
Remember the movie Waterworld? Where seems that it is the scenario in Metro Manila and 9 other provinces as continued rain submerged more than 50% of these areas. Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal are the areas heavily affected by the heavy Monsoon rains.
Classes had also been suspended in these areas since the DepEd said 168 public schools were being used as evacuation centers for 14,489 families forced from their homes by massive flooding caused by incessant rains in the last two days. Most of the schools are in Metro Manila, where 115 schools are being used to shelter 9,741 families while in Central Luzon, 36 schools are temporarily housing 2,568 families, according to an Inquirer report.
Meanwhile in Marikinina River, residents had already been advised to move away from the rising river. Mahar Lagmay, Project Director of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) said that residents should wake up and move away from low lying areas along Marikina River including Tumana and Provident.
Marikina water level was at 20.22 meters at Sto. Nino station as of 4:34 a.m. and is at 28.14 meters in upper Marikina River. A warning siren is continuously ringing to warn residents, however some of them still refuse to evacuate making rescue operations more difficult.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin conducts an aerial survey of flooded areas in Metro Manila Wednesday morning to assess the magnitude of damage caused by the incessant southwest monsoon rains. Video courtesy of Bing Formento/DZRH
20 people so far had died from 2 days of continued rains as the capital city of Manila recorded 864 millimeters (34 inches) of rain in 72 hours. Other areas had been flooded by over 1 meter (39 inches) of rain in the same three-day period. The Lagusnilad and overpass in Recto had been fully soaked in water.
20 people so far had died from 2 days of continued rains as the capital city of Manila recorded 864 millimeters (34 inches) of rain in 72 hours. Other areas had been flooded by over 1 meter (39 inches) of rain in the same three-day period. The Lagusnilad and overpass in Recto had been fully soaked in water.
PAGASA who had said that there will be better weather ahead did announce that before that people should expect more rains so safety is advised. More than 700,000 people are already affected by the flooding in Luzon and millions in damage properties and agriculture. Central Luzon was the heaviest affected with 49 flooded areas, Calabarzon with 21 areas, Metro Manila with 17 and Ilocos with 3. NDRRMC said 126 roads were not passable to vehicles in Regions I, III, IV-A, VI, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Metro Manila.
“You are not alone to fend for yourselves,” President Benigno Aquino on Wednesday assured the flood victims huddled at evacuation centers across Metropolitan Manila and in nearby provinces. President Aquino visited various areas together with sister Kris Aquino and cabinet secretaries.
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| TRUE GRIT President Aquino is in Tunasan village, Muntinlupa City on the way to visit with evacuees at the elementary school. He refers to them as a “gritty people” and in a “lively mood” which he says makes his burden lighter. The President was also set to visit Quezon City, Marikina and Caloocan but driving rain and traffic gridlock on Edsa forced him to quit his schedule. Others seen on photo are Kris Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas, Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva and Customs chief Rufino Biazon - www.newsinfo.inquirer.net |
