Flood alert raised anew in Camanava

Officials in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area said yesterday they were closely monitoring water levels in flood-prone barangays after two days of heavy rains.

The other day, local government units in the northern metropolis reported no major flooding.

Mayors, especially of the coastal town of Navotas and the flood-prone Malabon City, held emergency meetings yesterday to map out plans in case of any emergency brought about by the weather disturbance.

"Mayor Toby Tiangco gathered all concerned local government offices to synchronize plans and moves in case of disaster," said Gery Doringo, Navotas public information officer.

At around 9 a.m. yesterday, the Navotas local disaster team evacuated to safer ground at least three families living on the shorelines in Barangay Bagumbayan South as strong winds and huge waves threatened to destroy their houses.

At least six of the town’s 14 barangays — San Jose, Bagumbayan, Daang Hari, North Bay Boulevard North, Tanza and San Roque — have been affected by floodwater.

In Malabon, Mayor Canuto Oreta directed the city engineering office and the local disaster units to monitor flooded areas in the city and to implement measures that would help abate the flood situation.

Malabon, which serves as a catch basin of floodwater during rainy days, has been struggling for years to ease the effect of flooding in its 21 barangays.

The local government has built at least 15 pumping stations to control flooding, but these are often not enough for large volumes of floodwater.

In Valenzuela City, at least 30 families in Dulong Tangke street in Barangay Malinta were evacuated to higher ground when their houses were inundated in waist-deep water.

"We were also affected by the high tide," said Marither Menia, Valenzuela City public information officer.

Some 30 more families in low-lying areas of Barangay Gen. T. de Leon were also being considered for evacuation yesterday afternoon, Roberto Darilag, of the city’s disaster coordinating council, said.

In Caloocan City, portions of Maypajo, Dagat-Dagatan, Letre Road, San Miguel street, A. Mabini street, Tanigue street, Libis street and Tamban street in Barangay 20 were impassable to light vehicles as of noon yesterday as water levels in these areas reached two feet.

Minimal in rest of Metro

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported no major flooding problems in the metropolis yesterday despite the continuous rainfall.

Traffic was also light since the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Scheme (UVVRP), or number coding scheme was suspended shortly before noon.

MMDA Deputy Chairman Cesar Lacuna said floodwater in the areas of flood-prone Dimasalang and Maceda streets in Sampaloc, Manila reached a maximum level of only 30 centimeters.

"May flooding pa rin tayo sa Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (Camanava) area pero manageable naman," he told The Star.

Lacuna confirmed that the Tumana Bridge in Marikina had to be temporarily closed because of the overflowing of the Tumana River.

"As for other areas, wala naman problems because of our pumping stations. Bumababa agad ang tubig kahit doon sa mga areas na madaling bahain," he said.

MMDA Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios said the UVVRP would resume today unless rains brought about by typhoon Glenda continues. — With Michael Punongbayan