MMDA deploys 200 personnel, pumps, suction trucks to flood-prone areas

MANILA, Philippines - Fearing a possible repeat of last Wednesday’s heavy downpour caused by a localized thunderstorm that swamped some parts Quezon City and Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday pre-positioned some 200 personnel from its anti-flood units, mobile pumps and vacuum suction trucks to areas identified to be likely flooded.

Some parts of EDSA’s north-bound lanes were flooded, particularly the area near Camp Aguinaldo, which quickly reached waist-deep as heavy rain poured between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Also flooded during the downpour were the portions of EDSA-Ortigas Avenue, C5 Road-Ortigas Avenue, C5-Tiendesitas and Espana Boulevard in Manila.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said the agency has also readied five military M35 trucks to help ferry stranded commuters trapped in flooded areas along Espana and EDSA. Tolentino said the MMDA expects heavy downpour to hit Metro Manila again over the weekend.

“Kaya nga ang suggestion ko, umuwi bago mag 4 o'clock o umuwi ng alas-9 ng gabi,” he said.

“May libreng sakay sa EDSA at España. Limang 6x6 trucks. Pero balewala rin ito pag trapik na. So dapat past 9 p.m. na umuwi,” Tolentino added.

Tolentino identified the following as crucial areas: Santolan, Megamall, Tiendesitas, Espana, Katipunan, Osmeña Highway, South Superhighway, Skyway-Buendia.

According to the MMDA, these areas were hit by flooding during Wednesday’s heavy downpour. The floodwater only cleared by 6:37 p.m., the MMDA said.

Tolentino said the swift rise of floodwater was caused by the huge volume of rain dumped by the localized thunderstorm, clogged or already narrow drainage systems and climate change.

“Malakas ang ulan. Climate change. Kasama na rin drainage at wala nang open space. Pero kahit ano pa ang dahilan, dapat paghandaan,” he said.

In addition to the 200 quick response personnel deployed by the MMDA, the agency will also be positioning 12 mobile pumps and three vacuum trucks or hydro excavators to the flood-prone areas. And should the agencies three vacuum trucks would still not be enough for the job, the MMDA has borrowed three more from Manila.

“Tatlong vacuum trucks. Humiram pa kami sa Maynilad ng dalawa. Mga panghigop. I-deploy namin yung isa sa Katipunan at isa sa Santolan. Di sapat to kung tatagal ang ulan ng lagpas apat na oras. Pero malaking bagay ito. Pero ang thunderstorm ay localized. Buhos tapos titigil, tapos lilipat na sa ibang lugar,” he said.

Tolentino advised motorists not to drive during a heavy downpour as there is zero visibility which could trigger road accidents. During the heavy downpour last Wednesday, the MMDA recorded at least 29 road accidents across the Metro.

“Hintayin na tumila ang ulan kasi zero visibility. Mahigit 29 ang aksidente kagabi,” he said.