Heavy rains leave many stranded, forced to walk home

MANILA, Philippines – Torrential rains on Tuesday evening, September 8, just as people were on their way home caused traffic to come to a near standstill in many parts of Metro Manila. 

Flooded roads were reported in Magallanes, parts of Amorsolo St, and Pasong Tamo in Makati as well as portions of Taft Avenue and Osmeña Highway. 

To make matters worse, the partial line stoppage of the Metro Rail Transit and a car accident on C5 added to the traffic, leaving many Metro Manila residents stranded without a means to go home. As of this posting, many have decided to walk home instead.

 

 

Move and Project Agos volunteer Hep Benitez reported at 9:30 pm that the MRT operated only from Shaw Boulevard to North Avenue only.

“Kawawa mga tao. Ang daming naglalakad. Naglakad ako from Megamall to Guadalupe looking for a taxi/bus,” observed David Lozada, a Rappler reporter.  (I pity the people. Many are walking. I walked from Megamall to Guadalupe looking for a taxi or bus.)

People are walking from Pasay Road Edsa to Magallanes… pic.twitter.com/37RofDppXc

— loko__loko® (@loko__loko) September 8, 2015

 

A Project Agos volunteer motorcycle rider, Frankie Oliguera, reported that a truck on the flyover of C5 Ortigas southbound overshot and collided with a Honda Jazz and one more vehicle. The Metro Manila Development Authority confirmed this incident via Twitter.

Other reports on social media showed buses at full capacity and passengers waiting patiently in line for a public utility vehicle to ride. 

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Flooded airport

Passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reported long delays as planes attempted to land in the near-zero visibility weather. The runway and tarmac also flooded. 

According to at least two reports, planes could not be serviced at the aprons as ground crew were not permitted to work due to heavy rains and thunderstorms.

The rains spared no one. Even actor Dingdong Dantes, who had just arrived from New York City, had to wait for an hour in the plane before disembarking.  

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New normal?

Heavy flooding is nothing new to Metro Manila residents, many of whom experienced the paralysis caused by the prolonged downpour during Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana).

The government, however, says it is working to complete its flood projects and upgrade the train system. But this relief couldn’t come sooner for many irate Filipinos in the metro who have no other option but take public transportation to go home. – With reports from Voltaire Tupaz and Lou Gepuela/Rappler.com