Rains swamp Metro Manila ahead of Super Typhoon Ompong

MANILA, Philippines — Several areas in Metro Manila were flooded due to heavy rains hours before Super Typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut) entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the southbound and northbound lanes of EDSA Ortigas as well as Quezon Avenue in Quezon City were flooded.

The MMDA said floods were also reported along Mother Ignacia street and Ma. Clara Araneta Avenue, slowing down vehicles.

The agency has prepared extrication equipment and rubber boats in anticipation of massive rains brought by Ompong. 

Ompong is expected to hit northern Luzon this weekend, with the typhoon’s outer rain bands extending up to Metro Manila, according to the state weather bureau.

Michael Salalima, head of the MMDA disaster response group, said they formed seven emergency stations along EDSA-Orense in Makati; Ortigas, Timog, C5-Libis, Commonwealth Avenue and Tandang Sora in Quezon City, as well as Roxas Boulevard and Nagtahan in Manila.

The MMDA deployed around 60 disaster responders in flood-prone areas in the metropolis.

Salalima said they asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to roll down billboards and other outdoor advertisements.

“Our equipment, resources and emergency units are on standby,” he said. 

 Meanwhile, the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit said measures were in place to ensure the safety of commuters during the typhoon.

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