Manila Emergency services in various parts of the country went on full alert Sunday as tropical storm Saola (local codename Gener) moved further north while affecting a separate weather system that has been bringing monsoon rains.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management council (NDRRMC) emergency units of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as the Red Cross and volunteer groups were placed on its highest state of preparedness to cope with the effects of Saola and a low pressure area west of the capital region.
Saola, which is moving in a westward direction north of the Philippines caused heavy rains as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) declared public storm signal No. 2 over the province of Cagayan, the Calayan Group and the Babuyan Group of Islands. Signal No. 1 had been declared in the provinces of Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao and Batanes Goup of Islands winds of up to 100 kph expected within the area.
Although the storm is located at the fringes of Northern Philippines, its presence has enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rains to Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, especially the western section of the country.
From morning Sunday, heavy rains drenched the suburbs of Quezon City, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, the city of Manila, Makati City, Mandaluyong, San Juan and Paranaque, Taguig and Marikina cities.
Dam alerts
Heavy rains prompted authorities to raise flood alerts in areas near two dams located in suburban Quezon City, the La Mesa Dam, and the Angat Dam in Bulacan.
The NDRRMC said the the dam’s management may start opening the spillway gates once the water level reach dangerous levels.
Administrators of the two dams have alerted areas in the path of the two dams for possible massive flooding as heavy rains continue.
“All residents living in the aforementioned areas are advised to be on alert for possible increase in the water levels downstream,” the NDRRMC said in its advisory.
The effects of the storm also prompted several carries to cancel domestic flights from Manila to Western Visayas region, particularly to Caticlan.
A media advisory of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Sunday, said Cebu Pacific Airlines cancelled four bound for Caticlan and five back to Manila.
Cebu Pacific also cancelled flights bound and from San Jose in Occidental Mindoro.
The NDRRMC, in a bulletin had advised residents, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas to be on alert against possible flashfloods, landslides and big waves.
“Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and eastern seaboard of Mindanao due to the combined effect of Tropical Storm Gener and the Southwest Monsoon,” the NDRRMC said.
