NAIA Terminal 4 experiences flooding due to Southwest Monsoon

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4 got flooded on Saturday due to heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

A video footage taken by passenger Ivy Nakar showed the water reaching the first step of the aircraft stairway, according to a Balitanghali Weekend report.

In an interview, Nakar said her flight from El Nido, Palawan was already delayed for 30 minutes.

They were not immediately allowed to disembark as soon as they landed at NAIA Terminal 4, but the flood was not obvious from inside the plane up to when they boarded a bus.

When their bus moved going to the arrival area, passengers were surprised at the high level of flood at the airport, even as waters entered the vehicle.

Distribution of luggage at the conveyor was also stopped for about 10 minutes, Nakar said.

In a separate Balitanghali Weekend interview, Ed Monreal, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority, said a flash flood occurred at the said terminal as it is the lowest point of the ramp from Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and appeared to be like a catch basin.

Monreal said the pumping stations at the terminal were not able to manage the volume of water, resulting to an overflow.

He also said a lightning red alert that lasted for about 27 minutes was lifted at around past 9 a.m.

Monreal clarified that the diversion of six flights to the Clark International Airport had nothing to do with the lightning red alert, but with the zero visibility experienced at the Terminal 4 in the morning. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News