Flash floods hit Sta. Maria, Marilao, and Bocaue in Bulacan

Flash floods from non-stop rainfall early Friday morning inundated the municipalities of Sta. Maria, Marilao, and Bocaue in Bulacan, an officer of the province's Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) said.

In an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, Raul Agustin, Bulacan DRRM Officer II, said rainwater streaming down the Sierra Madre mountain range at San Jose del Monte caused the flash floods that affected the three municipalities.

"Biglaan po yung malakas na pag-ulan, halos 200ml na ulan yung naitala sa aming mga automatic rain gauges," Agustin said.

McArthur Highway in Marilao remain passable in these areas and no stranded residents have been reported to local authorities as residents near bodies of water were evacuated immediately.

"Natawagan na po namin yung mga MDR namin (municipal disaster response) para makapagbigay sila ng advice sa kanilang mga area of responsibility," Agustin said.

Trucks and a rubber boat were sent to Sta. Maria in particular to aid in evacuation efforts.

A bridge under repair in the municipality was also partially dug up by the downpour from San Jose del Monte.

"Baka po dun na uka po yun. Pero ginagawa naman po kasi yung tulay na 'yon kaya medyo na-ano na yung lupa," Agustin explained. "Safe pa naman pong daanan, passable naman pong lahat yung road dito sa lalawigan ng Bulacan."

The monitoring team of the region was surprised by torrential rains as they only received heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings from PAGASA.

Agustin said they plan to improve their early warning system as a result of the positive turnout of the flooding incident.

"Yan po ang ano ng ating governor na madagdagan lahat ng ating panukat ng ulan sa mga bulubundukin dito sa Bulacan," he said. — Rie Takumi/RSJ, GMA News