Heavy rains trigger flooding in parts of PH amid Habagat

Continuous heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) triggered flooding in several parts of the country on Saturday.

Metro Manila

In a social media update by GMA News reporter Bernadette Reyes, floodwaters in parts of Barangay Roxas District, Quezon City reached chest-deep levels. Residents said a flood control project in the area remains unfinished.

As of 12:20 p.m., a section of N.S. Amoranto Avenue corner Don Jose Street in Quezon City was also reported flooded, with one vehicle seen struggling to navigate the waters.

A section of Roxas Boulevard near Padre Faura and Pedro Gil streets in Manila was flooded but remained passable to motorists.

CALABARZON

In Batangas City, at least 49 individuals were evacuated to a school amid flooding in Barangay Libjo, according to a Facebook post by Coast Guard Station Batangas. One evacuee was transported in a wheelchair.

In Lian, Batangas, at least 33 residents were evacuated from their homes in Sitio Apalaya, Barangay Balibago. Authorities said they were transferred to Balibago Elementary School, which served as a temporary evacuation center.

In Mabini, Batangas, emergency responders relocated seven residents of Barangay Anilao East to Anilao East Elementary School as heavy rains persisted.

To assist stranded commuters in Batangas City, the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog launched a Libreng Sakay (free ride) initiative, safely transporting at least 41 passengers to their destinations.

In a video captured by YouScooper Kimberly Falcon, a road in Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City, was submerged in knee-deep floodwaters at around 10 a.m. following continuous heavy rain in the area.

Video footage captured by YouScooper Arn Ursais showed waist-deep flooding in parts of Medicion II-F, Imus, at around 7:30 a.m.

The state weather bureau PAGASA had raised an Orange Rainfall Warning over Imus, Cavite, as of 11 a.m.

In Kawit, Cavite, several families were evacuated from Barangay Gahak past midnight as floodwaters neared waist level. According to the Kawit MDRRMO Emergency Response Team, a total of 22 families were rescued, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and children.

In a social media update, GMA News reporter Jamie Santos said floodwaters in parts of Barangay Gahak had reached chest-deep levels. She noted that, according to residents, it was the first time they had experienced flooding this severe.

“Ayon po sa ilang mga residenteng nakausap po natin dito at ilang barangay official, bagaman itong lugar ay bahain naman po dati pa, ngayon lang daw po nila naranasan ‘yung ganitong kataas na pagbaha,” Santos said.

(According to some residents and barangay officials we spoke with, although this area has always been flood-prone, they said this is the first time they have experienced flooding at this height.)

“Hinala po nila, ito po ay dahil sa ilang estrukturang nakabara sa daluyan [ng] tubig malapit po sa ilog at ilang bahay na naitayo po doon,” she added.

(They suspect this is due to structures blocking the waterways near the river, as well as several houses built in the area.)

In Bacoor, Cavite, the local government unit reported road flooding as of Saturday afternoon. Officials also observed rising water levels along the Zapote River and at several other bridges across the city.

MIMAROPA

Residents in several low-lying and flood-prone areas across Romblon fled their homes as floodwaters continued to rise in their communities.

At around 1 a.m., at least 12 residents from three families were evacuated from Barangay Tulay, Odiongan. They were relocated to the Tulay Barangay Hall and the Municipal Evacuation Center in Barangay Dapawan, Odiongan.

In Sitio Maligaya Riverside, Barangay Poblacion, Looc, Romblon, at least 11 individuals were evacuated at around 2:05 a.m. Authorities said they were transferred to the barangay hall, which served as an emergency shelter.

A family of five in Barangay Madalag, Alcantara, was also evacuated by local authorities and brought to the barangay hall.

In Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, YouScooper Hanna Mhae Famini captured knee-deep flooding in Barangay San Isidro at around 11 a.m. While rain continued in the area, floodwaters were slowly receding as of 4 p.m., she said.

Central Luzon

In Barangay Catangjalan, Obando, Bulacan, parts of the community were flooded as of noon. Roads remained passable to vehicles, with floodwaters reaching at least ankle-deep.

A pickup truck in Santa Maria, Bulacan, was forced to stop at Macaiban Bridge past 4 p.m. due to flooding. According to YouScooper Greddy Gabriel Bulatao, the driver immediately retreated after seeing the surging waters.

Local residents near the river said water had been overflowing onto the bridge since 1 p.m. following a day of continuous rain.

Ilocos Region

Several major roads in Dagupan City, including areas in the downtown district, were inundated following persistent rain showers. Residents faced difficult conditions while traversing flooded streets in the market area at around 6 a.m.

CAR

In a “24 Oras Weekend” report by Marisol Abdurahman on Saturday, a pine tree snapped from a slope and fell onto a road in Barangay Happy Hollow, Baguio City, at around 10 a.m.

Authorities cut the tree trunk into smaller pieces to clear the road and facilitate its removal.

Residents who witnessed the incident said they heard the tree crack before it fell onto the road.

“Biglang tumunog yung kahoy. Takbuhan kami kanina—dalawa kami. Sobrang nerbiyos, nanginginig,” recalled a resident who narrowly escaped being hit by the falling pine tree.

(The tree suddenly made a loud noise. The two of us immediately ran. We were extremely frightened and shaking.)

“Nung nakita nga po namin yung pagbagsak ng kahoy, yung dalawang tao buti na lang nakatakbo po sila… hindi inabot,” another resident added.

(When we saw the tree fall, thankfully, those two people managed to run out of the way in time.)

Another resident said a passing vehicle also narrowly escaped being crushed by the tree.

“May crack ka na pong maririnig tapos dahan-dahan na po siyang [tumumba], ma’am. May dumaan po na sasakyan, buti na lang po mas mabilis siya,” the resident said.

(You could hear a cracking sound before it slowly started to fall. A vehicle was passing by, but luckily, it was moving fast enough to get out of the way.)

According to the Baguio City Environment and Parks Management Office, the tree had already been leaning before the heavy rains.

"Hindi maiiwasan ngayong malakas po 'yung ulan, 'yung bagyo po. Nag-loosen 'yung soil kaya, ayun, ‘yun ‘yong isang cause,” said Junelyn Velasco, a Forester I from the city office.

(With the heavy rains and the tropical cyclone, this kind of incident is difficult to avoid. The soil loosened, which was one of the causes.) —VBL, GMA News