Metro Manila braces anew for floods amid expected rains

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MMANILA, Philippines – A thunderstorm developed Thursday afternoon and brought with it rains that drenched Metro Manila and neighboring provinces for the second straight day, the weather bureau said.

In its latest advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecast heavy rains and strong winds over the next two hours over portions of Quezon City, Tayabas, Tiaong and Dolores in Quezon, Zambales, Angat, San Jose Delmonte, San Jose Delmonte and San Rafael in Bulacan, Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, portions of Batangas and Rizal.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has started its mobile pumping operations and deployed 350 personnel in several inundated areas to help alleviate floods and in anticipation of traffic gridlock caused by heavy rains.

The MMDA said that floods have been so far reported in the following areas:

• As of 5:35 p.m. gutter deep at Edsa Megamall northbound, passable to all types of vehicle

• As of 5:30 p.m. gutter deep at Edsa Ortigas Intersection Provincial L-Bay NB, passable to all types of vehicle

• As of 5:25 p.m. gutter deep at C5 Ortigas SB/NB Hypermarket(Tiendesitas), passable to all types of vehicle

• As of 4:51 p.m. gutter deep (front of 7-11) at Commonwealth Tandand Sora Westside WB, passable to all types of vehicle

• As of 5:15 p.m., 4inches deep at C5 Aurora/Katipunan Intersection, passable to all types of vehicle

On Wednesday, an afternoon downpour submerged most of Metro Manila causing heavy traffic and stranding commuters.

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