Camanava flood victims return home

Families affected by the recent flashfloods in Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) returned to their homes yesterday after floodwaters in most part of the northern metropolis receded with the improved weather condition.

In Malabon City, however, Barangays Panghulo, Dampalit, Hulong Duhat, and Longos remain flooded as several river walls in these areas collapsed at the height of typhoon "Florita."

"We are rushing the reconstruction of collapsed river walls destroyed by strong flood currents at the height of the typhoon," Engineer Ed Bautista, of the Malabon City Engineering Office, said.

Bautista said one of the badly affected areas in Malabon City is Barangay Longos where five meters of the river wall collapsed.

"But most of our streets and major thoroughfares are now passable to light vehicles and residents who have earlier evacuated, even those living along riversides, already returned home," Bautista said.

He explained that even with several pumping stations operating in Malabon, the flashfloods were not averted as they were too strong and were aggravated by the high tide.

"It’s like pumping out a glass of water only to be replaced by a pitcher. The effort was a waste of time and money. So, we waited for the weather to improve to rush the repair of the collapsed river walls," Bautista said.

The city engineers were still inspecting the affected areas in Malabon yesterday to assess the damage caused by floods and to map out other measures that may help decrease flooding in the coming days.

In Navotas, the 317 families living in the town’s coastal barangays were also allowed to return homes yesterday.

In Caloocan, floodwater has receded in Dagat-Dagatan, the city’s most flood-prone area.

In Valenzuela City, 70 families from Dulong Tanke, Malinta have all returned to their respective houses.