Storm surge threatens Metro Manila; residents evacuated

MANILA, Philippines — Residents of coastal areas in the cities of Manila and Navotas were evacuated yesterday due to threats of storm surge amid the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

Blended learning classes and work in government offices were also suspended in Metro Manila.

Manila disaster risk reduction and management officer Arnel Angeles said 120 families in Islang Puting Bato, Baseco, Smokey Mountain and Happy Land in Tondo were evacuated due to risks of storm surge.

Mayor Isko Moreno said the evacuees were taken to the Rosauro Almario Elementary School and Isabelo delos Reyes Evacuation Center.

The city government had practiced preemptive evacuation measures while complying with minimum health protocols when 400 families were evacuated due to Typhoon Rolly, Moreno said.

In Quezon City, the local government implemented forced evacuation of residents in 41 villages prone to landslides and floods.

Local disaster officials said residents in low-lying areas were evacuated in Barangays Damayan, Del Monte, Mariblo, Masambong, Sta. Cruz, Sto. Domingo, Talayan, Vasra, Bagong Silangan, Batasan Hills, Payatas, Bagumbayan, Blue Ridge B, East Kamias, San Roque and Socorro.

Other flood-prone areas where forced evacuation was implemented were Damayang Lagi, Doña Imelda, Roxas, Fairview, Gulod, Kaligayahan, Nagkaisang Nayon, North Fairview, Novaliches Proper, San Agustin, San Bartolome, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Monica, Apolonio Samson, Baesa, Balonbato, Culiat, Pasong Tamo and Tandang Sora.

Residents were asked to cooperate for their safety.

In Navotas, 850 families were evacuated although the local government has a dike system to protect the city from storm surge, disaster risk reduction officer Vonne Villanueva said.

Residents along the coastal areas of the rivers traversing Malabon and South Caloocan were also evacuated, as well as residents along the tributaries of Marilao River in North Caloocan.

The local governments of Parañaque and Muntinlupa also ordered preemptive evacuation as a precaution against the typhoon.

San Juan City suspended government work yesterday due to Typhoon Ulysses.

The suspension did not cover departments involved in healthcare, disaster preparedness, traffic enforcement, peace and order and other vital services.

Pasig River ferry suspended

The operation of the Pasig River Ferry service was suspended yesterday due to bad weather, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

All 64 pumping stations in Metro Manila are operational to alleviate flooding brought by the typhoon, MMDA public safety office head Michael Salalima said.

The pumping stations are equipped with strainers to continue running despite the water hyacinth in the Pasig River, he said. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Ralph Edwin Villanueva