Low tide, pumping stations keep flood minimal in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The low tide and continued operation of pumping stations helped keep floodwaters minimal in Metro Manila, allowing all vehicles to pass through major roads and intersections yesterday.

Although the Metro Manila Development Authority reported floodwaters reaching up to 13 inches in some areas, most roads remained passable to all types of vehicles, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

Local government units reported that the floodwater quickly subsided.

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the city has largely been spared due to the low tide, adding that all bombastik pumping stations were working yesterday.

In Valenzuela, Mayor Wes Gatchalian also checked on the pumping stations in Barangays Pasolo and Veinte Reales as he noted that some areas in Barangays Malanday and Paso de Blas near the North Luzon Expressway were flooded.

The Malabon city government told The STAR that Barangays San Agustin and Concepcion were flooded, adding that floodwaters quickly subsided due to the low tide.

In Caloocan, 10 families from Barangays 118 and 175 were evacuated.

According to the MMDA, portions of Maysan Road in Valenzuela as well as G. Araneta and N.S. Amoranto in Quezon City were submerged to up to 13 inches of floodwater.

Also, sections of C3-Balintawak and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City; Tramo in Pasay City; Abad Santos, Taft Avenue, United Nations Avenue, Padre Faura, Quirino Avenue, Maria Orosa, V. Mapa and Kalaw Avenue in Manila; EDSA-Shaw Boulevard tunnel in Mandaluyong City; and M. Naval Street in Navotas were flooded up to eight inches.

Mayor Isko Moreno inspected the flooded intersection of Taft and United Nations Avenues as field personnel cleared clogged drainages.

The MMDA reported that strong winds toppled an electricity post and a billboard along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.

The pole blocked the northbound service road in front of the Ateneo de Manila University while the billboard occupied a lane at the southbound direction, slowing down traffic flow as of noon yesterday.

Motorists going northbound were allowed to enter the university to drive past the fallen post, said Artes.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued heavy rainfall warnings in Metro Manila, urging affected residents to be prepared for flooding.