River wall collapse, broken navigational gate trigger massive flooding in Navotas
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River wall collapse, broken navigational gate trigger massive flooding in Navotas
MANILA — Nearly 1,000 residents were forced to leave their homes after a river wall collapsed and a navigational gate failed to operate, unleashing seawater at the Malabon-Navotas river that flooded Barangay San Jose in Navotas City up to 5 feet high over the weekend.
MANILA — Nearly 1,000 residents were forced to leave their homes after a river wall collapsed and a navigational gate failed to operate, unleashing seawater at the Malabon-Navotas river that flooded Barangay San Jose in Navotas City up to 5 feet high over the weekend.
Local officials said the flooding began Saturday, June 28, when a concrete river wall, which served as a private perimeter fence, crumbled under pressure from rising water levels.
Local officials said the flooding began Saturday, June 28, when a concrete river wall, which served as a private perimeter fence, crumbled under pressure from rising water levels.
The deluge was aggravated by a damaged navigational gate being repaired by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The deluge was aggravated by a damaged navigational gate being repaired by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“Ang root cause po talaga nito ay sira po iyong ating navigational gate. Ang navigational gate ngayon ay kinukumpuni ng contractors ng DPWH at MMDA. Kung ano po ang level ng tubig sa dagat, iyon din po ang level ng tubig sa ating ilog. At dahil po dito, babahain po iyong mga lugar, lalong-lalong na iyong nandito sa District 2,” said Vonne Villanueva, head of the Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
“Ang root cause po talaga nito ay sira po iyong ating navigational gate. Ang navigational gate ngayon ay kinukumpuni ng contractors ng DPWH at MMDA. Kung ano po ang level ng tubig sa dagat, iyon din po ang level ng tubig sa ating ilog. At dahil po dito, babahain po iyong mga lugar, lalong-lalong na iyong nandito sa District 2,” said Vonne Villanueva, head of the Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
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According to Villanueva, the broken navigational gate, which regulates the entry of seawater into the river, failed to close during high tide.
According to Villanueva, the broken navigational gate, which regulates the entry of seawater into the river, failed to close during high tide.
This allowed saltwater to freely flow into inland waterways and match the sea’s elevation, inundating low-lying communities.
This allowed saltwater to freely flow into inland waterways and match the sea’s elevation, inundating low-lying communities.
He explained that while parts of the area have protective dikes, the boundary between the shipyard and the nearby community in Barangay San Jose relied only on the private concrete wall.
He explained that while parts of the area have protective dikes, the boundary between the shipyard and the nearby community in Barangay San Jose relied only on the private concrete wall.
“Itong pong bakod na ito ay yari po sa konkreto. At nakapatong po ito sa burak o lupa... Sa tagal po ng panahon, siyempre lalambot po iyong bakod at maaapektuhan po iyong pundasyon. ‘Yan nga po iyong naging dahilan para pumasok po iyong tubig sa loob po ng Celestino community,” Villanueva said.
“Itong pong bakod na ito ay yari po sa konkreto. At nakapatong po ito sa burak o lupa... Sa tagal po ng panahon, siyempre lalambot po iyong bakod at maaapektuhan po iyong pundasyon. ‘Yan nga po iyong naging dahilan para pumasok po iyong tubig sa loob po ng Celestino community,” Villanueva said.
NEARLY 1,000 AFFECTED, CLASSES DISRUPTED
Data from the city disaster office showed around 263 families, or roughly 900 individuals, were affected. Of these, 79 families or 148 individuals were housed in evacuation centers, while another 184 families or 756 people sought temporary shelter with relatives or elsewhere.
Data from the city disaster office showed around 263 families, or roughly 900 individuals, were affected. Of these, 79 families or 148 individuals were housed in evacuation centers, while another 184 families or 756 people sought temporary shelter with relatives or elsewhere.
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Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the local government immediately provided free meals, toiletries, and medicine to evacuees.
Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the local government immediately provided free meals, toiletries, and medicine to evacuees.
“Noong bumagsak po iyon, talaga makikita ninyo walang ibang pupuntahan iyong tubig kung hindi doon sa mga kabahayan at aapaw iyon hanggang kalye,” Mayor Tiangco said.
“Noong bumagsak po iyon, talaga makikita ninyo walang ibang pupuntahan iyong tubig kung hindi doon sa mga kabahayan at aapaw iyon hanggang kalye,” Mayor Tiangco said.
“Hindi naman natin alam kung ano iyong magiging sitwasyon, kung gagana ba iyong ginawa po nating temporary na paraan (sandbagging). So mas gusto natin, mas safe po sila, kaya nilikas po natin dito (evacuation center),” he added.
“Hindi naman natin alam kung ano iyong magiging sitwasyon, kung gagana ba iyong ginawa po nating temporary na paraan (sandbagging). So mas gusto natin, mas safe po sila, kaya nilikas po natin dito (evacuation center),” he added.
Some schools in the area also suspended classes, with classrooms being used as temporary shelters. Authorities hope that once the water recedes, students can return to school.
Some schools in the area also suspended classes, with classrooms being used as temporary shelters. Authorities hope that once the water recedes, students can return to school.
IMMEDIATE REPAIRS UNDERWAY
Villanueva said the private company has committed to rebuild the collapsed wall under DPWH and the LGU supervision.
Villanueva said the private company has committed to rebuild the collapsed wall under DPWH and the LGU supervision.
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Meanwhile, the DPWH and MMDA are rushing to complete repairs on the navigational gate by July.
Meanwhile, the DPWH and MMDA are rushing to complete repairs on the navigational gate by July.
Villanueva stressed that while there is urgency, they prefer to ensure the gate is properly restored.
Villanueva stressed that while there is urgency, they prefer to ensure the gate is properly restored.
“Ayaw lang po natin madaliin, dahil ‘pag minadali po natin, baka lalo po tayo magkaroon ng malaking problema. Kapag gumagana na po ito (navigational gate), iyong posibilidad na tayo ay bahain ay lalong bababa,” he said.
“Ayaw lang po natin madaliin, dahil ‘pag minadali po natin, baka lalo po tayo magkaroon ng malaking problema. Kapag gumagana na po ito (navigational gate), iyong posibilidad na tayo ay bahain ay lalong bababa,” he said.
Despite the ongoing fixes, city officials acknowledged that heavy rains coinciding with high tide could still trigger flooding.
Despite the ongoing fixes, city officials acknowledged that heavy rains coinciding with high tide could still trigger flooding.
The residents are also urged to cooperate by properly disposing of waste to keep drainage systems clear, and to remain prepared.
The residents are also urged to cooperate by properly disposing of waste to keep drainage systems clear, and to remain prepared.
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