Floods swamp parts of Metro Manila

ICE ON FLOOD Workers transport blocks of ice on floodwaters Monday, June 18, 2012, at the Navotas fish port, north of Manila. Heavy rains overnight brought about by typhoon “Butchoy” (international name: Guchol), coupled with high tide, flooded low-lying areas of metropolitan Manila Monday and forced the suspension of classes in affected areas. AP PHOTO/BULLIT MARQUEZ

MANILA, Philippines – Several areas in Metro Manila remained flooded due to heavy rains early Monday caused by typhoon Butchoy (international name Guchol), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has said.

Bobot Balbaboco of MMDA’s Flood Control unit said several areas in Malabon such as Governor Pascual, Barangay (village) Catmon; C4 road; and General Luna in barangays Ibaba and Concepcion, were still flooded but were passable.

In Navotas, Balbaboco said the road in front of its city hall remained flooded, as well as the North Bay Boulevard between C3 and Lapu Lapu Avenue.

“Below sea level kasi itong mga lugar na ito kaya binabaha talaga doon pag high tide at may kasabay pang malakas na ulan,” Balbaboco said.

Roads along the Camanava area are now passable, he said.

He said half-tire flooding was also reported along Edsa-Balintawak earlier Monday but receded just after 30 minutes.

The bad weather also prompted the cancellation of classes from pre-school to high school in both private and public schools in Malabon Navotas, and Pasay, as well as in Obando, Bulacan earlier Monday.

A report from Radyo Inquirer 990AM said afternoon classes in Rosa Susano Elementary School, Bagbag Elementary School, Dona Rosario Elementary School, Benigno Aquino Elementary School, Commonwealth Elementary School, San Antonio Elementary School and Pascual Elementary School have also been suspended.