PERSONNEL from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office remove a fallen tree trunk blocking a lane along P. Burgos Avenue on Sunday. Strong winds brought on by recent inclement weather caused the tree to collapse, prompting swift response efforts to restore traffic flow in the area.
PHOTOGRAP by TOTO LOZANO for DAILY TRIBUNE
Rain equivalent to 10 days of precipitation battered the City of Manila on Saturday, 29 August triggering widespread street flooding and driving more than 1,100 residents into evacuation centers, disaster officials said Sunday.
Data from the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (MCDRRMD) showed the city experienced multiple bouts of intense rainfall throughout Saturday, with the heaviest downpour recorded at 4 p.m.
The highest rainfall accumulation was recorded at Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc at 147.4 millimeters, with peak hourly rates reaching 23.6 millimeters at 4 p.m.
"The rain that poured over Manila yesterday was equivalent to 10 days of rainfall," said Christian John Evangelista, resident meteorologist and chief of research and planning for the city disaster office.
"This volume of rain was enough to cause flooding, especially in our low-lying areas," he added.
Other city monitoring stations recorded substantial totals, including Cayetano Arellano High School at 143 millimeters, Baseco Evacuation Center at 135.8 millimeters, and Manila City Hall at 129.6 millimeters.
The repeated surges of heavy rainfall flooded major roadways through Saturday afternoon. Gutter-deep flooding hit most of Taft Avenue and sections of España Boulevard.
