Flood-prone areas in Metro Manila prepare for Ofel

Authorities have started to monitor flood-prone areas in Metro Manila in anticipation of strong rains brought by tropical depression Ofel, according to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras.”

In Marikina, rescue boats have been positioned in barangays beside the Marikina River in case of flooding.

The Marikina Rescue 161 toured the city throughout the afternoon to monitor the situation in areas such as Barangay Malanday.

An elementary school in the barangay has already been prepared to be used as an evacuation center. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, authorities have implemented protocols in accepting evacuees.

The temperature of evacuees must first be checked at the entrance and then sanitized. They will then head to the registration area at the multi-purpose hall where they will fill out contact tracing forms.

The evacuees will then be given room assignments. There are separate rooms for pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities that will be stationed on the ground floor.

The school also has its own medical station and doctor on duty.

Due to the pandemic, the Malanday Elementary School will only be able to house 3,000 evacuees from its previous 5,000 capacity where only two to four individuals will share each room.

Should space not be enough, authorities will open the school’s gym facility.

“Nakakapag pro-active management na po kami, naikasa na po ‘yung kakailanganin naming kagamitan at pasilidad, if in case po, hindi gumanda ‘yung panahon sa susunod na 24 oras,” Dave David, Marikina Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, said.

As of 6 p.m., the water level of the Marikina River was recorded at 12 meters, far from its critical level of 18 meters.

In Quezon City, authorities are monitoring flood-prone areas such as the  Roxas District, E. Rodriguez, and Araneta Avenue.

Backhoes which are used to pick up garbage in rivers and creeks have also been positioned. Meanwhile, residents living beside rivers and creeks picked up things that were drifting in the bodies of water.

“Kursunado po ng bibili, bebenta po. Pero ‘yung wala pong bibili, puwede ko po siya gamitin panukit bilang para po sa mga kalakal dito,” a resident said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News