Floods hit Metro Manila as Kristine dumps rains

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine dumped heavy to torrential rains in Metro Manila as it moved toward northwestern Luzon triggering flooding and stranding commuters and cars.

According to a report by Marisol Abdurahman on "Saksi," several roads were submerged in gutter-deep to knee-deep water forcing some vehicles to take cover on the roadsides, such as in McArthur Highway in Valenzuela City.

Commuters braved the gutter-deep waters in Malabon to slowly move to their destination as fewer vehicles were available to ferry them.

Roxas District in Quezon City turned into a river following the non-stop rains, which prompted the evacuation of residents along Gumamela and Waling-Waling Streets.

But residents like Neil Nicart, who lives at the back of the river, opted to stay saying the floodwater level was not as high as in the past.

In Isla Puting Bato in Manila, residents kept still in their homes near the bay.

"Mahirap din sa evacuation, tsaka mahirap may mga bata kami. Pag talagang ano na, malapit lang naman, tsaka na kami mag-evacuate," Rey, a resident said.

(It's hard being in the evacuation center, especially since we have kids. If there's really a need to go, then we will.  The center is near, anyway.)

At the Manila North Port Terminal, close to 200 passengers were stranded as vessels were still prohibited from sailing due to the inclement weather.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the shipping line have provided them food and water.  

According to the PPA and the Philippine Coast Guard, over 7,000 passengers were stranded in 14 ports in the country such as Batangas, Bicol, Masbate, Guimaras, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte.

"We request that the passengers monitor the situation and not proceed to the terminals considering there are no trips," said PPA official Mark Palomar. —LDF, GMA Integrated News