Clogged drainage system caused flooding along EDSA last weekend 

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the heavy flooding on EDSA during the weekend (September 23, 2023) was caused by clogged storm drainages coupled with heavy rains. 

The weekend flooding at the EDSA Camp Aguinaldo area as recorded by the MMDA's CCTV

To be more specific, pieces of plywood, plastics, and even rocks were found to have been blocking a drain along the stretch of EDSA. MMDA Acting Chairman Romando "Don" Artes said in a recent interview with the DZBB Super Radyo radio station that a considerable amount of garbage and debris were recovered despite the continuous cleaning efforts on EDSA’s storm drains. 

As a result of the blockage and the flooding, traffic during the weekend was brought to a standstill on the northbound section of EDSA in front of Camp Aguinaldo. According to numerous reports, along with several social media posts, water levels rose to knee-high levels, making the road impossible to traverse for light vehicles. 

Of note, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) likewise detected two low-pressure areas (LPA) near Zambales and Quezon provinces during the weekend. These brought about the heavy rains. 

In another interview with the same radio station, MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana added that upon discovery of the clogging, the garbage was cleared, and the flood quickly subsided. As such, Lipana has urged the public to properly dispose of their garbage. 

One of the recovered pieces of plywood that was said to be clogging the storm drain on EDSA [Photo: MMDA]

For a more concrete solution to this though, Don Artes also shared that it is developing a new plan to combat flooding as he admitted that the current drainage system is fast becoming outdated. This is dubbed the comprehensive 50-year drainage master plan and it ensures that drainages will have the right specifications for handling floods for the next 50 years. This project will then start in 2024. 

Previously, the agency already invested in a solid waste management initiative in key barangays within the National Capital Region (NCR). This involved a solid waste granulator in Tondo, Manila, and trash traps in selected waterways, among others. 

The agency likewise established a new Communications and Command Center (CCC) in Pasig City. Beyond being designed to manage road emergency response and traffic management, it is also touted to handle flood management, as well as disaster response. 

For more car news and automotive industry updates, keep it here on Philkotse.