MONSOON rains enhanced by Typhoon “Falcon” caused floods in various places in the country, including Metro Manila, with the weather bureau warning that bad weather will likely prevail until Friday when the storm is expected to leave the country.
satellite image of Typhoon Falcon which was 1,065 kms east of
Batanes at 5 p.m. Wednesday. LINO SANTOS
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Falcon was at 1,065 km east of Basco, Batanes at 4 p.m. Wednesday and had maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.
The fairly-strong typhoon was moving west northwest at 20 kph and is expected to be 810 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes on Thursday and 585 km north northeast of Itbayat when it leaves the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
The typhoon dumped heavy rain on Metro Manila and its environ in addition to Bulacan, Cavite, Bataan, Batangas and Rizal.
The weather bureau also warns that monsoon rains may cause flash floods and trigger landslides over the regions of Ilocos, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Mimaropa.
While occasional rains were to be expected in Western Visayas due to the southwest monsoon, the rest of the country was forecast to have cloudy skies and isolated thunderstorms.
According to Pagasa, the public and the disaster risk reduction and management councils concerned should take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued later at 11 p.m.
Classes were suspended in all levels in Metro Manila, Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite; Cainta and San Mateo in Rizal; Balanga, Mariveles and Limay in Bataan; Hagonoy, and San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria and Marilao in Bulacan.
The Metro Manila Development Authority noticed zero visibility along Pasig River prompting the agency to suspend its Ferry System Service operation.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said various parts of Metro Manila were flooded but waters are subsiding faster because of the government’s pumping stations and other flood control projects in the metropolis.
He said all pumping stations in Metro Manila, except for the Tripa de Galina in Manila, are operational and ready for the rainy season.
Mesa Reservoir in Quezon City on Wednesday which neared its
overflow level of 80 meters. Plant manager Teddy Angeles
recommended preemptive evacuation of residents near the
reservoir. LINO SANTOS
The MMDA has a composite team of eight personnel from its flood control engineer office and eight personnel from traffic discipline unit deployed in strategic locations to alleviate traffic and flooding problems.
Meanwhile, the engineers at the La Mesa Dam recommended preemptive evacuation of residents near the Tullahan River as the dam’s water level was near overflowing.
“As of 4 p.m, La Mesa’s elevation is 79.72 meters (red alert), 43 centimeters below overflow level of 80.15 meters. Preemptive evacuation is recommended,” dam manager Teddy Angeles said.
He urged the local governments of Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Malabon City and Navotas City to take the necessary steps to prevent loss of lives and properties once the dam overflows.
Typhoon Falcon boosted the southwest monsoon, triggering moderate to intense rainfall, and also causing excess water from La Mesa Dam and increasing the banks of Tullahan River to affect the four cities.
As far as the residents along Quezon City’s Tullahan River are concerned, Mayor Herbert Bautista said they have already mobilized the proper authorities to look after the welfare of such dwellers.
“That is standard procedure. Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management action officer Elmo San Diego and Barangay Operations head Jorge Felipe are to coordinate with barangays along major river ways in QC to preemptively evacuate affected families,” he told The Standard.
“The barangays are on red alert for possible spillover of La Mesa Dama. Preemptive evacuation is being undertaken. Forced evacuation is not yet necessary, according to the Department of Public Order and Safety,” said the city’s new Public Affairs and Information Services Office chief Reggie Samson.
On the other hand, the mayor’s chief of staff, Jay Marzan, said there was forced evacuation in Quezon City’s Barangay Bagong Silangan due to Marikina River’s critical water level.