Student's Outlet

If you’re from the Philippines, especially in the NCR (National Capital Region) area.. you already know this. I think I could equate this 24-hour rainfall to a continuous rainfall for one month. I’ve also heard that this is much worse than the Hurricane Katrina (I don’t have any source from this yet, will update soon ).

Two days ago, I went to PAGASA‘s website and saw this very large red spot on top of the Philippine Area. This is “ONDOY”, the worst storm ever that crossed the Philippines.

Personal Experience: Last Saturday, I went to Toyota Commonwealth to have our car get a 1000km check-up. I was there at around 8:30 am, and the car was released around 11:30 am. I was waiting at the reception area while watching TV and not noticing how hard the rain fell outside. When the car was released, I asked the guards for the directions to Yokohama where my father’s at so that we could go home together. Apparently, they have giving me the wrong directions and I realized that I was driving (off to Fairview’s direction). I suddenly noticed that the cars were going on the left most side of the road. I havent realized the severe situation until images of children swimming in the flood became visible. The flood was actually above there waistline. I was really, really SHOCKED. “Pati ba naman sa high way bumabaha? Gaano kalakas na etong ulan na ito?” then, I arrived at Yokohama. I received a text from my mom that some parts in Commonwealth Avenue are really flooded. Good thing in that highway is that it has 8 lanes, you could actually see some cars, counter-flowing, and maneuvering in front of you, no traffic just some stranded cars because of the flood, then we realized that we’re stucked. We waited at Yokohama for about 4 hours and for the water to submerge. Unfortunately, the storm didn’t show any sign of weakening nor stopping and it continued to pour. At around 3:30 pm, my father decided to go home, and he asked me some alternate routes. Now for the good news, our decision (with 3 choices to choose from) was the right one. We crossed Tandang Sora to C.P. Garcia, then went inside UP Diliman, then we’re at home. Matandang Balara, which is one of our options was flooded. I think it’s about 5 ft high already. Taking a counter flow at Commonwealth ave, the go to University Avenue of UPD, the turn right at C.P. Garcia is also one of our choices, but it was actually flooded. I can see some 18-wheeler truck maneuvering, and stucked because even though they’re that high already, they can’t still cross (so let’s imagine how high the flood is). -> then we’re home. Thank God.

When I checked my daily feeds at Plurk and Twitter I saw this picture.

This picture is in Katipunan. When I saw this image, I can’t anymore imagine the cars floating and the house submerged in water.

I heard different stories. From my mom’s subordinates, my brother’s friends, and some of our relatives. I just can’t imagine the appliances and properties being completely submerged in water, that some people are actually sleeping on their rooftops waiting for rescuers with no electricity available and that some have no choice but to leave everything behind. My brother’s batch is doing their thesis right now and one of his batchmate is affected by this calamity. Their house can’t anymore be seen because of the La Mesa Dam overflowing and his classmate’s (one of the brightest mind on their batch) thesis research is on their hard drive. I wish I could help on this one. *Just an advice to everyone: Before you try opening or testing if your appliance is still working, please, please be sure to have it completely dried up first. Best gadget to use in drying it up is hair blower.*

They say now that harder part begins, counting the casualties. It made a lot of casualties especially in Quezon City, Taytay Rizal, Marikina City, Ortigas Extension, Pasig City, San Jose Del Monte, Montalban Rizal and more in the provincial areas of Luzon. It destroyed and damaged billions worth of properties, submerged houses, cars, and appliances in flood.. just with the heaviest rainfall i’ve ever seen, made dams and rivers overflow, made a lot of travelers be stranded, and the worst is that it killed a lot of people. *sigh*

Please Ondoy, don’t come back here anymore. Please don’t.

On the synopsis of PAGASA, it is moving on West-NorthWest direction of our country. So please, nearby countries, be prepared and be warned. This tropical storm is the worst we’ve encountered.