ROILO GOLEZ, Philippine National Security Adviser (2001-2004). The world and the Philippines as Roilo Golez sees it. With focus on national security, geopolitics, geo-security, economics, science and government.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Record-high rainfall swamps southern Metro Manila by Jojo Malig, ABS-CBNNews.com
Record-high rainfall swamps southern Metro Manila
by Jojo Malig, ABS-CBNNews.com
Posted at 08/19/2013 11:05 PM | Updated as of 08/19/2013 11:13 PM
Accumulated rainfall in the city of Las Pinas from 9pm August 18 to 6pm August 19, according to the Manila Observatory.
MANILA - More than 250 millimeters of rain fell in southern Metro Manila in less than 24 hours Sunday and Monday, a new record high for August, the Manila Observatory said.
Hardest-hit areas are the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Makati, according latest data from the independent weather research institute based at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Vehicles are stuck on a flyover leading to Las Piñas City.-- Photo: ABS-CBNnews.com
Accumulated rainfall from 9 pm Sunday to 6 pm Monday in Las Piñas reached more than 250 mm, with the peak of more than 50 mm recorded around 4 am Monday.
Kabihasnan in Paranaque got more than 200 mm rainfall during the same period; Guadalupe in Makati City got around 160 mm, according to Manila Observatory data.
It said Ondoy rainfall amount it recorded in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, reached 370 millimeters in September 2009.
It added that in the habagat rains last year, around 250mm rainfall was recorded August 7 at Loyola Heights.
From 12 am on August 18 this year to 6 pm August 19, more than 250 mm rain fell on both Las Piñas and Sucat, Parañaque.
Accumulated rainfall in Metro Manila. Image courtesy of the Manila Observatory.
State weather bureau PAGASA and the NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission have yet to release figures on rainfall volume levels in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon for the past few days.
The Department of Science and Technology's Project NOAH has higher figures on past heavy rainfall events.
It said Ondoy dumped 455 mm rainfall in 24 hours in 2009, and around 472 mm of rainfall fell in Quezon City in a day during the 2012 habagat. Swamped by floods
In Metro Manila on Monday, people were forced to go their rooftops while others were forced to swim in floodwaters in scenes eerily reminiscent of "Ondoy" and last year's habagat.
The flooding that hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces was caused by monsoon rains, enhanced by Tropical Storm Maring.
"Bukas meron pa rin tayong ine-expect na rainshowers and thunderstorms, lalo na sa hapon at gabi, and by wednesday gradually mag-iimprove ang weather condition natin," PAGASA officer Esperanza Cayanan said Monday.
The floods forced the cancellation of classes, government offices, and courts.
Manila's City Hall wasn't spared.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada blamed the flooding in his city on garbage blocking the drainages and illegal settlers.
At least three people were reported killed, while nearly 20-thousand families were affected.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa advised the public to stay indoors.
"Iwasan muna magbiyahe at this time, dahil even if the amount of rainfall we're getting according to PAGASA is less than yesterday, still it doesn't mean na yung pagbabaha ay immediately humihina," he said in a press briefing.
"Maging vigilant pa rin mga tao natin, mga mamamayan natin, yung mga nasa evacuation centers mas maganda siguro mag-stay muna kayo dyan, wag muna kayo bumalik hanggat walang sapat na clearance yung mga lugar ninyo," he added.
Various government agencies have been mobilized to bring help to those affected by floods. - with ANC
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
No comments:
Post a Comment