Metro Manila under state of calamity

‘Moderate to intense’ rains expected till Friday

BY VICTOR REYES and ASHZEL HACHERO

INTERIOR Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr yesterday declared Metro Manila under a state of calamity because of massive flooding caused by heavy rains from super typhoon “Carina” in the past days.

Abalos made the decision after a meeting with Metro Manila mayors who reported to him the effects of Carina that remained far from Philippine landmass but enhanced the southwest monsoon, bringing rains in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Carina intensified into a super typhoon yesterday, hours before making landfall in Taiwan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Abalos, during a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) presided by President Marcos Jr, recommended that Metro Manila be placed under state of calamity “because of what is happening, especially in Metro Manila.”

He said among flooded areas were Pasay, Quezon City, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Taguig, Malabon, Navotas, Pasig and Manila.

Abalos said 80 percent of Navotas was flooded and 60 percent of Valenzuela.

He also reported flooding in Central Luzon, displacing a few thousand people.

The NDRRMC said 882,861 people were affected by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon, tropical depression “Butchoy” and typhoon Carina since July 11.

PAGASA, in a bulletin issued at 5 p.m. yesterday, said Batanes remained under wind signal No. 2.

It said Carina will continue to bring heavy rainfall until this afternoon in Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

Three areas are under Signal No. 1 — Babuyan Islands, northern portion of mainland Cagayan, and northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center Carina was some 380 km north of Itbayat, Batanes. It was moving northwestward at 20 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon enhanced by Carina will bring “moderate to intense rainfall over various localities in the western portion of Luzon today (Wednesday) through Friday.”

Abalos, after the NDRRMC meeting, met with the Metro