Fifteen individuals were trapped after a wall collapsed in Cainta, Rizal, due to the incessant rains on Wednesday night.
According to Emil Sumangil’s report on 24 Oras, authorities rescued the victims amid head-high floodwaters that hit the Tribu community in Barangay San Isidro.
“Isolated yung lugar tapos nawalan ng kuryente. Lagpas tao ang tubig. Nakuha namin lahat, sumama lahat, dinala namin sa evacuation center,” said Eric Arevalo, Cainta Rescue, Chief.
(The place was isolated and then the electricity went out. The water was more than head-high. We got everyone, everyone came together, we brought them to the evacuation center.)
Even though the rain has stopped, almost all the residential areas along Imelda Avenue are still submerged.
The side of the road was temporarily turned into a parking lot for vehicles moved by residents living in flooded areas.
Some residents waded through the floods to buy food and other necessities at the exit.
“Bumili kami ng ulam at bigas, wala eh. Nakaka-ano ito, nakakatakot,” said a resident.
(We bought food and rice, because we had nothing. It’s scary.)
Many were also unable to get out and were trapped in their houses while the water in the estuaries was still overflowing until recently.
“Matagal humupa ngayon ang baha, dati sandali lang, ang Vista Verde Phase 1 dati wala, ngayon meron na. Ano dahilan? Dumami bahay, at the same time, may nag-overflow ang creek, nagbaba-backflow samin,” said Barangay Chairman Ricardo Licup.
(The flood has subsided for a long time now, it used to be only for a while, the Vista Verde Phase 1 used to not exist, now it does. What reason? There are more houses now. At the same time, when the creek overflowed, it flowed back to us.)
According to the local government of Cainta, 85 to 90 percent or more than 200,000 of residents are affected by the typhoon.
It is said that they have pumping stations that have been operated for more than twenty-four hours, to lower the flood as soon as possible.
“Naka-depend ‘yan sa Marikina River. Pag tumaas ito, ‘yan ang affected. Yung kabilang problema ko, yung nasa Barangay San Isidro, ‘yun naman nanggagaling ang higher slopes ng Rizal, na sinasalo ng mga creeks, ng mga subdivision along Imelda Avenue,” said Municipal Administrator Kit Nieta.
(That depends on the Marikina River. When it rises, these areas are affected. My other problem, the one in Barangay San Isidro, is [water from] the higher slopes of Rizal are caught by the creeks of the subdivisions along Imelda Avenue.)
According to data from the Rizal police, three people have died after being electrocuted.
Six have been injured and on is missing due to a landslide, while more than 12,300 families are in evacuation centers.
The Rizal provincial government said that there are enough relief goods for those affected. Working with them to help affected residents are people like Jessie and Kremmie, who are helping out even though their own food business has been affected. They opened their restaurant to distribute cooked food to those affected by the flood.
They work with their staff who, even if their restaurant is closed, will still receive a salary.
“Ang sarap kasi sa pakiramdam pagnamimigay,” said Jessie.
(It feels good to give back.) — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News
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