MANILA: Residents of Metro Manila living in low-lying areas and near waterways have been advised to evacuate as torrential rains caused by the southwest monsoon have continued to affect the capital and nearby provinces.
The Quezon City government recommended emergency evacuation of residents living along Tullahan River as the La Mesa Dam neared its spilling level, reported Philippine Star.
According to Laging Handa Philippines, the government’s crisis communication center, La Mesa Dam was at 80.5 meters as of 2:30 p.m., or 10 centimeters below overflow level.
The Marikina City government also reportedly ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents near the Marikina River as it reached Alert Level 4 or over 18 meters, well above the 15-meter critical level.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was quoted as saying that the rainy weather experienced in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is expected to persist until tomorrow.
State weather forecaster Samuel Duran reportedly said a low-pressure area and a tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility have enhanced the southwest monsoon.
Duran added that the low-pressure area, which was located north of Batanes, exited the country yesterday but would continue to indirectly affect the country’s weather.
“Monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over Metro Manila and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas,” PAGASA reportedly said.
“Occasional rains will prevail over the rest of Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and Western Visayas. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over the rest of Luzon and the Visayas, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms is expected over Mindanao,” it added.
Meanwhile, Duran said the tropical depression over the Pacific Ocean is not expected to enter the country but may also enhance the southwest monsoon.
The weather forecaster said some parts of Metro Manila recorded as much as 39 millimeters of rain in one hour, which is classified as torrential.
PAGASA on Saturday issued an orange rainfall warning in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Zambales and Bataan, warning residents of possible flashfloods.
On the other hand, a yellow rainfall warning, which could cause flooding in low-lying areas, was issued in Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Laguna, said the news portal.
Malacañang reportedly said President Duterte is monitoring the areas affected by heavy rainfall.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella and presidential special assistant Christopher Go was quoted as saying that the defense department has been mobilized for rescue and evacuation operations.
“They are getting reports from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on the status of the Marikina River and are preparing for preemptive evacuations,” the Palace said.
Monitoring team of MMDA has reported 18 flooded areas in Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan and Pasay City. These were España Boulevard to Lacson Street (northbound and southbound), España-Antipolo Street and Rizal Avenue-R. Papa, all in Manila; EDSA-P.Tuazon, EDSA-Quezon Avenue, EDSA-Santolan, Araneta Avenue-Victory, EDSA-Kaingin, E. Rodriguez Avenue- De los Santos and E. Rodriguez-Araneta Avenue intersection, all in Quezon City and EDSA-MCU in Caloocan, the report pointed out.
The Sapang Balas tunnel along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Dinalupihan, Bataan was also not passable to light vehicles due to heavy flooding, reported Philippine Star.
