MANILA: Piles of trash were observed in the waters around Metro Manila on Tuesday, a day after the region was drenched and flooded by southwest monsoon rains.
Early Tuesday, cleaning operations began to clear trash that had been swept up along the dolomite beach in Manila Bay.
The day before, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported four-inch-high, or half-gutter-deep, flooding along Roxas Boulevard in front of the US Embassy near the dolomite beach. Flooding as high as eight inches was also reported in other parts of Roxas Boulevard.
Floodwaters in some parts of the boulevard had yet to subside despite the clear weather.
In Navotas, the Tullahan River, which flows into Manila Bay, also had several pieces of garbage near the Bangkulasi Pumping Station — a major flood control facility in the area.
Though mostly clear, parts of the river, particularly where fishing boats and rafts were situated, had garbage buildup.
This is despite no reported flooding in the area on Monday.
In Malabon, which also experienced flooding as high as 18 to 19 inches, or half-knee deep, waterways along P. Aquino Ave., which flows into the Tullahan River, also had floating piles of trash.
According to the 11 a.m. forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the southwest monsoon will continue to bring heavy rainfall all over Metro Manila.
The monsoon, Pagasa said, is anticipated to bring 50 to 100 millimetres of rain in Metro Manila on Tuesday afternoon. - Inquirer/ANN
