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Floods from 'Ondoy' swamp parts of Metro Manila, 4 domestic flights canceled


Heavy rains brought by tropical storm 'Ondoy' flooded parts of Metro Manila and caused some domestic flights to get canceled Saturday morning.

Update on Tropical storm 'Ondoy'


At 4:00 a.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm "ONDOY" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 130 kms east southeast of Baler, Aurora or at 90 kms East Northeast of Infanta, Quezon (15.0°N 122.5°E) with maximum winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 19 kph. - PAGASA
Government-run dzRB radio reported floods were waist-deep in San Isidro village in Antipolo City, while floods also threatened residents in Marikina City. Meanwhile, at least four domestic flights were canceled since 6 a.m., including flights of Zest Air to and from Manila to San Jose in Mindoro; and to and from Manila and Caticlan in Aklan. Earlier, at least 1,700 passengers remained stranded in Bicol while sea craft operators were forced to cancel trips in Caticlan in Aklan province due to the storm [See: More than 1,700 stranded in Bicol due to 'Ondoy'] The dzRB report also said roads in Makati and Pasay Cities and Taft Avenue were flooded. MMDA General Manager Roberto Nacianceno advised village heads to keep alert and evacuate residents near riverbanks if the water level rises. “On their own, at sa mga barangay malapit doon, sila ang gumalaw ngayon (On their own, the village officials should take action) ... It would be prudent on their part to go to higher ground," he said on dzRB radio. He noted that residents had refused to heed calls of MMDA teams to evacuate, only to ask for help once floods force them to clamber to the roofs of their houses. But Nacianceno also blamed local residents in some areas for continuing to dump their garbage near gutters, clogging them and worsening the floods. In the meantime, Nacianceno said flood control engineers had been sent to Talayan village in Quezon City, where the creek had overflowed. “Yung creek umapaw na. Nagpadala kami doon ng flood control engineers (The creek overflowed, and we sent flood control engineers there)," he said. He also said the river near Araneta Avenue, and the San Juan River are in danger of overflowing. Nacianceno also advised motorists in Quezon City to avoid passing the corner of Katipunan Avenue and C.P. Garcia. He also said floods were gutter-level at Elliptical Road. Floods also caused a slowdown of traffic towards Quezon Avenue, he said. Nacianceno said all flood control teams are on alert. “They are all in their areas," he said. - GMANews.TV
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