Floods remain high in some areas of San Mateo, Rizal and rescue operations continue to save residents stranded in their homes.
Raging waters from the San Mateo River is immediately visible at the boundary of Quezon City and Rizal Province. What used to be a shallow stream has now swelled from the Marikina River’s overflow, totally covering the bridge of Barangay Banaba. Most of the homes underneath are now submerged. Only rooftops can be seen with most of the structures underwater.
“Kinatok po ako ng mga kapitbahay…Mga anak ko, wala kaming…bigla pong taas talaga, parang Ondoy lang ang nangyari rito (Our neighbors knocked on our door. My children and I were clueless. The water suddenly rose just like what happened during Typhoon Ondoy),” one of the residents, 50-year old Rodolfo Reyes, recounted.
Reyes was not able to salvage any of his belongings except for an empty cabinet when his home was hit by the raging waters. The whole family was saved but they had nowhere to go. They are now staying in a car borrowed from a relative.
Joe Reyes and his family, on the other hand, got stranded but were immediately rescued by the police.
Authorities recounted that the waters began to swell around 3 in the morning but their quick response saved 25 families who were immediately evacuated. Bureau of Fire Protection personnel are also helping in the search and rescue operations.
Other low-lying areas of San Mateo in Rizal Province are flooded and residents are trying to save their stuff. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) has already prepared an evacuation center for displaced residents.
The local government has yet to confirm the extent of damage and number of casualties in their area. – Report from Denevin Macaranas
