Stormy Saturday: Hundreds stranded by urban flooding

HUNDREDS of motorists and pedestrians waded through knee-deep flood in major streets of Metro Cebu following a heavy downpour that lasted at least two hours last night.

Vehicles were stalled on flooded streets from the North Reclamation area in Cebu City to Lahug.

Creekside residents near the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) on N. Bacalaso Avenue were evacuated as a safety measure.

Rain fell in sheets past 6 p.m. and lasted past 8 p.m.

Boy Artiaga, weather forecaster of Pagasa Mactan said, that the rain was caused by the formation of thick clouds and hds nothing to do with the low pressure area in Hinatuan City in Surigao del Sur.

Artiaga said rainwater volume was measured at 0.2 mm.

We shouldnt be complacent. Those living neear creeks and rivers should evacuate to higher ground,” he said.

Radio station dyAB reported  that waist-level water entered homes in sitio Manga in San Roque, Mambaling.

The Lahing Lahing Creek at the back of Persimmon in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City overflowed forcing some residents to take refuge at M J Cuenco Avenue.

Knee-high flood was reported in downtown Cebu City and along N. Bacalso Avenue, M. J. Cuenco Avenue, A. Soriano and Kaoshiung Streets between SM City Cebu and the Cebu Daily News building and at the vicinity of J.Y. Square in barangay Lahug.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said they evacuated 15 children and 12 adults from shanties near the Kinalumsan Creek and its bridge./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac