MANILA (UCAN): Super Typhoon Saola [locally known as Goring] triggered heavy monsoon rain, inundating various parts of the Philippines, including Manila, that left tens of thousands affected, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration [PAGASA] said.
Heavy downpours caused flooding of the streets in various parts of Manila and the government deployed the coast guard, while aid groups sent hundreds of workers and volunteers to rescue women, children and elderly who were trapped in their homes in various slums in Quezon City.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 305,481 people were affected by heavy monsoon rain and flooding in seven regions in the country.
Carlos Frias, head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Committee in Quezon City, said rescuers faced difficulties as roads in several areas were impassable for about 48 hours.
“We rescued about 300 individuals. The majority of them from the squatters’ area [slums] because the water level in the river is rising rapidly,” Frias said.
Heavy downpours caused flooding of the streets in various parts of Manila and the government deployed the coast guard, while aid groups sent hundreds of workers and volunteers to rescue women, children and elderly who were trapped in their homes in various slums in Quezon City
“We rescued stranded passengers trapped in train stations. They had no mode of transportation except for boats,” he added.
One evacuated passenger, janitor Francis Valles, recounted, “My brother lives a few blocks away from our home. My wife and I both work in a mall, so I immediately asked help from my neighbours to ask my son’s caregiver to bring him to my brother’s house.”
Valles said he and his wife took the train and did not mind if they got stranded at the station as long as their son was safe. He noted that their area is flood-prone, but they could move out because of their low income.
“Hopefully, we can move out this year if my wife gets a promotion and pay hike,” he added.
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An elderly couple thanked their parish priest who offered them an evacuation drive hours before flood waters entered their home in Marikina City where the river rose to 15.7 metres on August 31.
Philippine authorities cancelled all classes and government work on September 1 due to flooded streets and heavy rains
“We thank our parish priest because without him we would not be here in the church… safe… we will pray here for those whose homes were destroyed by the floods,” 74-year-old Karl De Guia, said.
De Guia said he and his wife could no longer wait for their son, who is employed in the business district of Makati, when the river started to swell due to incessant rain.
“He called and told us to seek help from our neighbours. We immediately gathered our clothes and some cash… after about 30 minutes, our parish volunteers came to pick us up,” De Guia added.
Micai Hababag, who is pregnant, found shelter at a basketball court turned evacuation site in Quezon City.
“My husband and I prepared for the birthday day of our firstborn, then this happened… I think we will give our baby a nickname after the Typhoon Goring [Saola],” the 32-year-old call centre agent said.
Philippine authorities cancelled all classes and government work on September 1 due to flooded streets and heavy rains.
Only government agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness and response to disasters and calamities, and the performance of other vital services remained operative.
Caritas Philippines also prepared to dispatch hundreds of sacks of rice, toiletries and tents for the evacuees.
“In times like this, we will prioritise those who really need help like in the depressed areas or those living under the bridge or near the rivers, whose houses were totally wrecked by the floods,” Caritas Philippines president, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, said.
