Brace for floods

Even if we begin correctly solve the perennial onslaught of floods now, we will not be free from these natural hazards anytime soon. It will take many years, at least five to ten, to effectively prevent destructive and killer inundations from their unabated and seemingly uncontrollable assault on our country’s residences, agricultural lands, schools, commercial and industrial areas.

I received several emails regarding my recent column on the natural calamities that we’re confronted with where I explained that “would-be victims are actually not deeply aware of the situation.” Better that I continue the discussions on this topic so that the interest on the matter be sustained.

Two of the feedbacks expressed exhaustion and disappointment on why we seem to be helpless and powerless in ending our dilemma on floods and landslides. I fully understand their sentiment.

I grew up and studied in Malabon City. I personally know the challenges and hardships of traversing the floods, usually dirty water, in going to school or work. There’s no choice but to take the risk of being exposed to the germs and other unimaginable sources of sicknesses that lurk underneath. Every time there will be typhoons, the paranoia persists amidst the rising waters and torrential rains. This is why solving this menace is basically personal to me.

We have 18 major river basins in the country which must be efficiently and effectively managed. The biggest of these is the 27,289-square kilometer Cagayan basin that stretches from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Quezon. Another is the Upper Marikina River basin which, during overflows, harshly affects the cities of San Mateo, Marikina, Quezon City, Pasig and the surrounding communities of Laguna Lake.

At least 421 principal rivers drain millions in cubic meter of rains regularly during the typhoon and monsoon season. Most of these rivers inundate the adjacent communities that surround them. Our government spends billions of pesos by way of direct assistance to the people who were adversely affected. After the recent Typhoon Enteng and the habagat, P189 million worth of food and non-food items were delivered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to the victims. More than 35,000 residents had to be moved to the evacuation centers and supported both by the national and local governments. Furthermore, the estimated damage to our agriculture is P659 million and still counting. Unfortunately, 20 casualties were also caused by landslides and the floods.

Comprehensive and integrated masterplan for each of the 18 river basins must be formulated and seriously implemented soon, not later. The most crucial components of the said masterplan are the engineering solutions that would lessen the volume of rains that ends up in the communities. Such would be the big dams, Sabo dams and catch basins upstream. But these dams must primarily be built for flood control, not for electricity. They can also be utilized for irrigation and supply of potable water for households. Not for electricity because those dams for energy need to maintain a higher level of water to ensure that their turbines will always be able to function. Thus, before typhoons, their water levels are already optimal.

Properly designed levy systems and river-walls must be systematically built and rolled-out based on the master plan. This is to guarantee that floods would not escape through the gaps along the walls and render the project useless. Catch basins, above and below ground, within and near the cities, must also be done. In Metropolitan Tokyo, for example, they have at least 5,000 catch basins that can actually capture around three million cubic meters of water during strong rains.

Along with these are new and wider canals and spillways. All-year round dredging must be sustained to keep the capacity of the rivers capable of handling big volumes.

Culture of resilience is missing. These engineering solutions must be complemented by our collective discipline, which we still don’t have actually, that demands the prohibition of the wanton throwing of garbage to our waterways and drainage systems. Massive reforestation too must be launched, particularly in our watersheds. Lastly, and this is indeed difficult, the local government leaders must have the political will and means to relocate the communities that are prone to harsh floodings, storm surges and landslides.

Negative impacts of typhoons and monsoon rains will continue unless we pursue the necessary long-term roadmap that involves engineering solutions, discipline and political will to move communities to safer grounds. Even with these, we will still brace for floods but only for a foreseeable future. But without these solutions, let’s expect floods forever.

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