Nelson Morales

Habagat, LPA trigger flash flood in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; over 300 families affected

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- A flash flood hit several barangays in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan on Friday afternoon, affecting hundreds of families. One of the hardest-hit areas was Barangay San Rafael 1 where a creek overflowed. According to Barangay Chairman Edmon Daluz, they were shocked by how quick the water rose in their area. He said rain began around 3 p.m., but within 45 minutes, floodwaters surged through, carrying garbage with them. “Sobrang bilis actually. Nagulat nga kami dahil ngayon lang ulit nangyari ito, siguro dahil catch basin itong lugar namin at marami rin basura,&quot; said Daluz. Floodwaters reached chest level in many parts of the barangay. Daluz said that no residents were evacuated in their barangay, but around 167 families were affected. The flood also damaged the railing of a bridge that had previously been destroyed by flooding last year. Based on the report from the San Jose Del Monte City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, 22 barangays were affected by flooding due to heavy rains caused by a low-pressure area and habagat or southwest monsoon. Across San Jose Del Monte City, a total of 373 families or 727 individuals were affected by the flood but only seventeen families or 85 individuals were evacuated from two barangays. “Ang nakikita ko solusyon, dredging. Laliman yung sapa kasi parang  tumaas na siya dahil sa pagbabaha maraming naanod na bato” Daluz added. In addition to flooding, incidents of soil erosion were also reported in four barangays in the city. There were also seven reports of infrastructure damage across four barangays, including destroyed riprap and creek protection structures.

A flash flood hit several barangays in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan on Friday afternoon, affecting hundreds of families.

A flash flood hit several barangays in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan on Friday afternoon, affecting hundreds of families.