On transportation and floods

By d0ctrine on July 24, 2024

Some people say transport and traffic concerns take a backseat to floods and related concerns, which affect other aspects of our lives aside from our commutes. The heavy rains the past days have rendered many streets impassable to most types of vehicles. That means people cannot go to work, school or come home. Lives are disrupted by floods this way. But even more disruptive and disastrous are the damages brought about by flooding in many communities. Homes are submerged. Properties are damaged, many beyond repair or replacement. There is also the psychological aspect of floods especially for those who will experience them for the first time. These will surely add to the already fragile mental health of people still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As I write, the Marikina River has breached and many areas of Metro Manila and surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite are flooded. The floods are now being mentioned along with those brought about by Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009.

Here are some photos from the internet being shared by various social media accounts including the official pages of Rappler and Inquirer:

Many roads are impassable to most vehicles. Only large vehicles like this bus would be able to traverse through flood along Ramon Magsaysay Blvd between V. Mapa and Araneta Ave. in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Note the people wading in the waters near the bus.

Situation at the Tumana Bridge connecting Marikina City and Quezon City. The vehicles on the bridge are likely owned by those residing in the communities nearby and parked here to save them from being submerged and damaged by flood waters.

Floods along Taft Avenue have affected establishments there including universities and colleges. Also shown in the photo is the elevated LRT Line 1, which remains operational and perhaps the only mode available to many who need to travel here .