Valenzuela City back to normal after widespread flooding

Valenzuela City is returning to normal after days of heavy rainfall submerged many parts of the city, affecting 22 out of 33 barangays, according to Mayor Wes Gatchalian.

In a media interview on Tuesday, Gatchalian said traffic conditions have significantly improved compared to the chaos experienced the night before.

"Compared to last night, which was severe chaos in our city, traffic is now free-flowing and the flood has already subsided along MacArthur Highway. The Paso de Blas exit on NLEX has also been reopened. So more or less, major thoroughfares are now passable," he said.

Gatchalian clarified that although 22 barangays were affected, the flooding did not impact each area entirely.

"In the innermost parts of Valenzuela, small pockets of flooding are inevitable. Out of the 33 barangays, 22 were affected — but not in their entirety," he explained.

As of 9:00 AM, the number of evacuees had risen to around 3,000 families or 9,000 individuals. A total of 58 evacuation centers are currently being managed by the city government and barangay units.

"Most evacuees are in Barangay Veinte Reales. We also have evacuees in Marulas and Malinta. Our largest evacuation center is Valenzuela National High School in Marulas, which now shelters over 200 families or more than 780 individuals," Gatchalian said.

He added that the local government has been providing food, mobile shower units, and mobile kitchens. Each evacuation center is also staffed with doctors and personnel from the City Health Office to monitor residents' health.

"Usually, the husbands are the ones who return home to check on their houses. But we urge senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women, and children to remain in the evacuation centers for their safety," he added.

Gatchalian also stated that there were no reported fatalities in their barangays.