Downpour inundates Metro Cebu, causes massive traffic

Local

A SUDDEN afternoon downpour triggered by the southwest monsoon (habagat) left parts of Metro Cebu submerged in floodwaters on Wednesday, July 16, stranding commuters, suspending classes, and causing traffic chaos across major thoroughfares.

In Cebu City, knee-deep flooding was reported in several downtown streets and in Barangay Kinasang-an, Pardo, where water levels rendered some roads impassable.

The Cebu City Social Welfare Services (CCSWS) said at least 62 families or 263 individuals were affected by the flood, most of whom were from Barangay Cogon Pardo.

“We facilitated initial assessment and interview while providing immediate food subsidy for the family affected by flooding,” said Portia Basmayor, head of CCSWS, in a local news report.

The flooding was attributed to an hour-long heavy rain brought about by the intensified southwest monsoon, enhanced further by Tropical Depression Crising, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa-Mactan issued a thunderstorm advisory around 1 p.m. Wednesday, warning of moderate to heavy rains over Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, and neighboring towns.

In Mandaue City, portions of A.S. Fortuna Street were rendered impassable to light vehicles by mid-afternoon.

The flooding also disrupted traffic along major roads across the metro.

Meanwhile, in Talisay City, a landslide in Barangay Lagtang damaged a house and temporarily blocked a road. No injuries were reported.

“The family residing in the affected home was able to evacuate in time,” said Francis Dennis Pastor, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), in a local news report.

By Thursday, July 17, over 20 local government units in Cebu, including Cebu City, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, suspended face-to-face classes in all levels. Schools were advised to shift to modular or asynchronous learning.

Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. of Cebu City said classes were suspended “due to the continuous rainfall that may lead to flooding, and in consideration of everyone’s safety.”

The list of LGUs that cancelled classes includes: Daanbantayan, Santa Fe, Samboan, Medellin, Alcoy, Tabogon, Bogo City, Santander, San Remigio, Minglanilla, Malabuyoc, Sogod, Tuburan, Tabuelan, Alcantara, Dalaguete, Oslob, Ginatilan, and Badian.

Sea travel was also affected.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended voyages of vessels 35 gross tonnage and below in Northern Cebu and 15 gross tonnage and below in Western Bohol, due to rough sea conditions.

“Vessels allowed to sail are further reminded to take precautionary measures and be extra vigilant in monitoring the weather,” said PCG-7 spokesperson Ensign Abel Lomboy.

Meanwhile, Pagasa said Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas should brace for moderate to heavy rains until Saturday, July 19, due to the ongoing southwest monsoon pulled by Tropical Depression Crising, which remains far from the Visayas but continues to enhance the habagat.

“Until Saturday, we’re still expected to experience moderate to occasional heavy rains due to the habagat,” said Jhomer Eclarino, weather specialist at Pagasa-Mactan.

He advised residents, especially those in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to closely monitor local advisories and remain alert.

“We also advise the public, especially those in disaster-prone areas, to continuously monitor weather updates,” Eclarino added.

Weather conditions are expected to improve starting Sunday, July 20, he said.

In light of the forecast, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CPDRRMO) has instructed all local disaster offices to stay on high alert, ensure availability of rescue equipment, and maintain close coordination with their counterparts.(TGP)