Torrents of rain flood Camanava area

Large parts of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava) in the northern part of Metro Manila was hit by waist-high flood waters brought about by an overnight heavy downpour.

Residents of the Dagat-Dagatan area in Caloocan City, particularly on Tanigue street near the Kaunlaran Elementary School and Tamban street, as well as a portion of Dagat-Dagatan Avenue, Libis street and Letre Road endured knee-deep flash floods.

The flash flood in Camanava was compounded by a 1.7-meter high tide yesterday.

In Malabon City, at least eight of its low-lying barangays — Hulong Duhat, Tonsuya, Concepcion, San Roque, Dampalit, Maysilo, Tugatog and Catmon — was hit by knee to waist-high floods.

Superintendent Moises Guevarra, Malabon police chief and a member of the Local Disaster Coordinating Council (LDCC), assured residents of police readiness if need arises.

Guevarra said that in case of evacuation, the police force has six bancas and two rubber boats on standby.

He said the LDCC, headed by Mayor Tito Oreta, also alerted yesterday the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the city health department and the rescue unit from the Office of the Mayor Rescue and Action Team.

In Navotas, public information officer Jerry Doringo said that only Barangay Daang-Hari was affected, experiencing gutter-deep flood water.

He said that flooding in Navotas is now under control with four of the town’s pumping stations in Barangays San Jose, Tanza, Sipac Almacin and Bangkulasi now fully operational.

In Valenzuela, Barangay Lingunan, particularly Satiago street, was no longer passable to light vehicles at around 2. p.m. yesterday.

Barangay Dalandanan saw water rise waist-high and was not passable to all types of vehicles, according to Daniel Edasur, Valenzuela police station radio operator.

As this developed, Valenzuela local government director Remy Galindo and the LDCC, led by Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, met yesterday with the city’s barangay leaders to re-evaluate their preparation for any possible emergency caused by the heavy rains.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office, City Health Department, the local police and Bureau of Fire Protection officers also attended the meeting.