Motorists and commuters were stuck in heavy traffic as gutter-deep floodwaters submerged Taft Avenue and España Boulevard in Manila on Thursday morning, Aug. 31, following heavy monsoon rains.
As of 9:30 a.m., the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRMO) reported gutter-deep floods along San Marcelino cor. Natividad, Taft cor. Natividad, Quirino to Osmeña, Luneta, Moriones, UN Taft, Kalaw, R. Papa, Hermosa, Rizal Ave. Pampanga, Blumentritt San Roque, España, and Taft Remedios.
Meanwhile, half-tire deep floods were reported from Faura to Nakpil-Taft, Pedro Gil to Quirino LRT 1 stations, P. Ocampo cor. Adriatico, Finance Road, Taft in front of Adamson University, Tayuman to Abad Santos, Abad Santos cor. Yuseco, and Lacson cor. Dapitan.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan conducted a roving operation herself to inspect the low-lying areas that were submerged in floodwaters.
Lacuna- Pangan advised motorists not to attempt to cross Maceda Street to University of Santo Tomas as the roads remained impassable as of 9:50 a.m.
Counterflow traffic was also allowed on the southbound lane of España Boulevard to help decongest heavy traffic.
She said some of the inner roads along España were also flooded.
The mayor called on the residents not to throw garbage on the streets as this may clog the city drainages.
The Manila DRRMO and Manila Police District (MPD) deployed transporter trucks and pick-ups to aid the transportation of affected commuters in the city.
The city government previously announced the suspension of work in government offices and classes in all levels in public and private schools in the city on Thursday.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/31/manila-lgu-suspends-gov-t-work-classes-due-to-inclement-weather