Mindanao hit by heavy rain, strong winds as Super Typhoon Inday enhances Habagat

Super Typhoon Inday has already begun enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat, affecting portions of Mindanao, according to Oscar Oida’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday.

In Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, for instance, a tarp in one of the market stalls collapsed due to the strong winds and heavy downpour. The harsh weather forced vendors to save their wares from the wind and rain.

Residents of Zamboanga City also experienced heavy rainfall earlier in the day. Roads were reduced to near-zero visibility here in parts of Barangay Vitali.

The Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has already alerted residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas.

Classes in all levels for both public and private schools in the city were also canceled this afternoon, following reports that several schools are already flooded.

The severe weather was also felt in Midsayap, North Cotabato, where several areas experienced power outages.

The Cotabato PDRRMO has advised residents to remain vigilant and stay alert for potential landslides and flooding.

Although Super Typhoon Inday is unlikely to make landfall in the Philippines, PAGASA said it is expected to bring heavy rains to major parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

A Blue Alert will be hoisted across Metro Manila starting tomorrow, in accordance with the recommendation of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

San Juan Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) President Francis Zamora earlier led the inspection of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) pre-positioned assets in anticipation of the incoming typhoon.

The MMDA assured that all 73 of its pumping stations across the capital region, including ten mobile pumps, are fully operational.

“Malaking bagay talaga na magkaroon ng ating mga LGUs ng mobile pump separate from the pumping stations because pwede niyong ilipat-lipat,” said Zamora.

(It’s really important that our LGUs have a mobile pump that is separate from pumping stations because we can bring this to different locations.)

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has identified more than 123 flood-prone areas, which are now being monitored by MMDA.

“Identified naman namin yung mga areas kung saan naiipon yung basura…may mga tauhan na kaming nakaabang sa mga areas na iyan para mag-alis ng mga basura,” said MMDA chairperson Don Artes.

(We have identified areas where trash accumulates… we have personnel assigned to these areas who will remove the garbage.)

When asked if there will be classes on Friday, July 10, Zamora said that it depends on the decision of each city mayor in Metro Manila if they will suspend classes or not in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies to prepare for the super typhoon. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News