MMDA deploys team to 11 flood-prone areas

MANILA, Philippines - Bracing for more flash floods that comes after sudden thunderstorms, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday deployed flood-control teams to 11 identified flash-flood prone areas in the Metro.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said the teams will be deployed to the identified flash-flood prone areas: Santolan Avenue, Julia Vargas (EDSA-Megamall), Ayala tunnel, Espana Bouelvard, Pureza Street (both in Manila); Scout Santiago Street in Quezon City; Osmena Highway (Makati-Manila area), Gil Puyat (Buendia) extension, the stretch of C5 Road, Katipunan in Quezon City and Makati Avenue.

Tolentino said the flood control teams were issued rain ponchos and were sourced from the agency's Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office, Metro Parkway Clearing Group and Traffic Engineering Center units.

The teams were also equipped with floating mobile pumps, submersible pumps and vacuum trucks to help assist in clearing floodwater. Tolentino has advised motorists and pedestrians against crossing flooded streets.

The MMDA said the improperly disposed garbage that clogged the drainage systems and the sheer incapacity of the drainage systems to handle the volume of floodwater were identified as the culprits behind the flashfloods that happen after a thunderstorm.

Earlier, the MMDA said it was monitoring 17 identified flood-prone areas in the Metro as it prepositions immediately needed personnel and equipment.

MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office head, Engineer Maxima Quiambao said of particular concern at present is the entire stretch of EDSA, particularly the portion of Julia Vargas in Mandaluyong near the Megamall and Santolan Avenue in Quezon City.

Quiambao said that there is flooding in Santolan as there is a mismatch in the diameter sizes of the drainage pipes from Camp Aguinaldo leading to Main Avenue.

“Pinakamalaki po yun sa mgy Aguinaldo.Ang daloy ng tubig may 36 inches galing po sa Camp Aguinaldo na ang pupuntahan po niya ay nasa 24 inches sa may Main Avenue. Kaya po nasasakal po yng tubig,” she said.

Aside from EDSA, Quiambao said they are also monitoring conditions in 16 other identified flood-prone areas to include Espana Boulevard in Manila, Roxas Boulevard and the Diosdadao Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City.

The MMDA earlier deployed 200 personnel, pumps and vacuum trucks to flood-prone areas in anticipation of heavy rains from thunderstorms.

Tolentino said the agency has on standby five military M35 trucks to help ferry stranded commuters trapped in flooded areas along Espana and EDSA.

Tolentino has identified the following as “crucial areas” for flooding during heavy rain:  Santolan, Megamall, Tiendesitas, Espana, Katipunan, Osmena Highway, South Superhighway, Skyway-Buendia.

In addition to the 200 quick response personnel deployed by the MMDA, the agency has also per-positioned 12 mobile pumps and three vacuum trucks or hydro excavators to the flood-prone areas.