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Flashfloods hit Metro Manila   Thousands of people fled from their homes in low lying areas in Metro Manila, which suffered the heaviest rainfall in four decades on 26th September, as a result of typhoon Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) that crossed Luzon from the Pacific Ocean. Metro Manila and 23 provinces in Luzon were declared under state of calamity. The typhoon also left more than 140 casualties and dozens more missing, because of the flash floods and landslines triggered by the heavy rains, measuring 341 millimeters in a six-hour period, which authorities said was nearly equivalent to a one-month of rain that the country received in the past month. This surpassed the previous record for Metro Manila in 1967, according to the weather bureau. “We were able to break that record in a span of six hours. Today, we really experienced an extreme weather event," said Mr. Nathaniel Cruz, weather services bureau head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). He said this was a proof that the country was affected by climate change. Flash floods occurred in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Rizal, Quezon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas as a result of typhoon Ondoy. Water levels at La Mesa Dam and Ipo Dam climbed to critical levels. Angat Dam reached spilling level. Rivers swelled in Metro Manila and Bulacan. Tullahan River, Tumana River, Pasig River, Marikina River and San Juan River rose to street levels, swamping homes and establishments. Many flights were cancelled in Metro Manila. Thousands of motorists and passengers were also left stranded for more than 10 hours in their vehicles as floodwaters choked most major roads in Metro Manila, including those bound to Central Luzon and Southern Luzon. Both the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway had some portions flooded that became impassable to vehicles. There were deaths related to electrocution after floods rose past the floor level of homes in Cavite and Metro Manila. Residents near rivers and creeks also climbed to their roofs as floodwaters measuring up to two meters inundated their homes. They waited for more than 12 hours to be rescued, but rescue teams could not penetrate the traffic-jammed roads to reach the affected areas. As this was being written, authorities were still assessing the damages caused by the typhoon. But the disaster showed the lack of preparedness and equipment among the disaster coordinating councils to handle a calamity such as what happened on 26th September. 26th September 2009 - This was our coverage of the flashfloods that hit Metro Manila on 26th September. Let us pray for the safety of Metro Manila residents affected by flash floods, as typhoon Ondoy dumped 341 milimeters of rainfall over a six-hour period, which was the heaviest volume of rain recorded in the country in decades! Flood waters inundated hundreds of villages in Metro Manila, forcing residents to climb to their rooftops. Metro Manila is under calamity! Residents near rivers, waterways and flooded areas are advised to seek higher grounds! Rescue teams are needed in many areas, but they cannot reach flooded villages by trucks. They need rubber boats to rescue people from the roofs. People were swept by swollen creeks and rivers in Rizal province. Vehicles from Metro Manila cannot pass the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway to go to Central Luzon or Southern Luzon. Rains remained heavy as of 5pm 26th September 2009. Typhoon Ondoy is expected to continue to bring rains tonight, although at less intensity. Typhoon is expected to be out of Luzon by Sunday, but rains are still expected, according to PagAsa. Metro Manila remained under signal number 1 as of 5 pm. For emergency assistance, contact the following:
Emergency Numbers: 9111873 (NDCC); 9125296 (NDCC); 9122665 (NDCC); 117 (PNP); 143 (Red Cross); 5270000 (Red Cross); 7230410 (PNP); 9250343 (AFP); 136 (MMDA); 213 (Globe-MMDA); 136 (Sun-MMDA); 3926631 (Smart-MMDA); 09209292824 (Meralco); 6312222 (Meralco); 1626 (Maynilad); 1627 (Maynila Water); 7277960 (DOTC); 9229061 to 66 (LTO); 6315058 (PNCC); 5270861 (Red Cross); 8771109 (NAIA); 5278481 (Coast Guard); 5276136 (Coast Guard); 7020888 (Cebu Pacific) and 2308888 (Cebu Pacific). All rescue equipment and resources are being marshalled by the NDCC, AFP and PNP and other volunteer organizations to reach flooded areas, according to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro in a press conference as of 4pm. He asked motorists not to clog the Metro Manila streets at this time. "If you need to do something, take the LRT and MRT and walk all the way," he said.
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