Several flooding hit areas of Manila; LGU provides free transportation

To aid stranded commuters, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) is providing free transportation services to several areas in Manila due to heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Super Typhoon Saola, Sept. 3.

The Manila NDRRMO is providing free transportation services on two routes: España to Buendia (loop) and Quiapo to España (loop) since Aug. 31. Mayor Honey Lacuna has also deployed additional "libreng sakay'' vehicles to help passengers navigate areas covered in gutter-deep flood water, including  Kalaw, Taft Ave., Vito Cruz, P. Ocampo, Tayuman, Abad Santos, Yuseco, Lacson, Dapitan, and Maceda in Sampaloc.

The Meisic Police Station also utilized mobile cars deployed to provide free transportation to stranded areas and monitoring areas affected by the typhoon for immediate response.

Several districts, including Pedro Gil, Taft Ave., Espana Blvd., Lacson Ave., Loyola, Penafrancia, Padre Faura, Kalaw, and Roxas Blvd., have seen flooding, with water levels ranging from gutter- to half-tire deep.

The national government has suspended work in government offices in the National Capital Region following the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Classes at all levels and government offices in Metro Manila were also suspended for two days due to heavy rains.

The Manila DRRMO is actively monitoring flooded areas in the city, and residents are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary safety precautions as scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist in Manila over the next few days.

As of a report at 5:00 AM yesterday, Metro Manila continues to face a notable chance of encountering light to moderate rainfall due to thunderstorms, indicating potential hazards such as flooding in flood-prone areas. 

According to the Philippine state weather bureau PAGASA, Typhoon Hanna, which primarily impacted Northern Luzon, is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Sunday night or Monday morning. However, there is still a possibility of continued rainfall until early this week. As of this writing, there are still no announcements on the duration of Manila NDRRMO’s free transportation services.