PHILIPPINES. Markina: Marikina City drenched in thick mud after the flood subsided. Four typhoons swept the Philippines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They brought severe floods that washed away many regions into ruins.
Marikina City is the most affected amongst the several cities in Metro Manila that have experienced flooding. Typhoon Vamco caused flash floods and thick mud that affected the entire city.
Typhoon Vamco made landfall three times in the Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) set a Heavy Rainfall Warning Number Four at 2:00 AM on 12 Nov. Marikina City expected the river to overflow and cause flash floods in the nearest area.
The city covered in mud after the flooding
Marikina City, the shoe capital of the Philippines, sank again in a high flood with thick mud after ten years. Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) dropped 455mm of rain in 2009 that flooded cities around Marikina River, Pasig River, and Laguna Lake. Typhoon Vamco dropped 153mm; however, its impact was more disastrous because of the series of storms that caused floodwater.
Although resilience is needed, it is insufficient to get by due to the current pandemic.
Jojo, a Marikina residence, in an interview with Transcontinental Times, talked about his experience while partially covered in thick mud. He said, “Everything happened so fast. The flood almost reached our ceiling, just an inch more. Also, Marikina City experiences a lot of issues.”
Thick mud and debris covered the entire city leaving vehicles all over the place
Furniture, cars, and household appliances are soaked in the thick mud that residents will need to clean. However, the devastating situation cut off clean water and electricity.
The flash floods covered the entire place with a lot of debris beside the thick mud. The floodings washed out and flipped vehicles all over the place. Everything was in chaos after floodwater subsided.
Transcontinental Times spoke with a man whose van had been ditched into a flood drainage, the white van in the photo. Maynilad employee Caesar Lito Villarta, the owner of the white van, shared his experience in disbelief. He said, “The floodwater rises every minute at one hand span length. Yet, I’m shocked to see my Toyota Liteace (white van) ditched here parked a hundred meters away.”
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