Our garbage and environmental problem
To be fair, the constant heavy rains over the past few days were the main cause of the flooding that has once again hit various parts of Mega Manila.
Mega Manila experienced heavy flooding due to constant heavy rains over the past few days. Experts have stated that the recent rainfall, reaching 201.7 millimeters, is almost half of the total rainfall volume from Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009, which caused significant flooding. Despite the hope that recently undertaken flood-control projects would improve the situation, the heavy flooding indicated that these projects were overwhelmed by the unexpected habagat deluge.
However, it is still premature to declare the projects a failure, as some portions were still incomplete and not fully connected, particularly along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City. In some areas, such as N.S. Amoranto in Quezon City, the completed flood-control measures have been effective in preventing water from reaching commercial establishments.
In Makati, Chino Roces Avenue has also been protected from frequent flooding due to drainage pipe installations and the raising and cementing of the road. The level of flooding so far has not reached the Ondoy levels in some areas, indicating that the improved drainage system may be starting to work. The heavy rainfall experienced is due to Mother Nature's environmental changes, such as rising temperatures and altered weather patterns.
Additionally, garbage contributes significantly to the flooding problem. Following the floods, massive amounts of garbage, including plastic furniture, bags, containers, tarpaulins, cans, clothes, and tires, have been found floating in the Pasig River and obstructing drainage areas. This garbage, along with the ghost flood-control projects, has garnered public and political attention.
Despite the focus on flood control, the public and government seem to overlook the daily generation and improper disposal of garbage, which worsens the flooding issue.
Written by urgent.news from Philippine Star Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
