January 2, my mom arrived home late afternoon and she told me that rain was pouring so hard and it never stop until the next day. When we chatted, Bombo Radyo which is our favorite AM station was very busy describing the situation of the people who lives in the riverbanks. As you can see at the top left picture, our city has a long and wide river that separates the 2 districts. We live uptown, so my family was not affected of the flashfloods. These are the scenario:
This is a government land, nobody should be allowed to build houses and live in this area but, people exists like a mushroom.
The current is so strong that it created a whirlpool than can suck anybody to the bottom.
The river becomes so muddy. The city never experienced this flood for more than 27 years.
These houses are in the pathway of the original river. 27 years ago, you only see young coconut tree and banana growing. Somebody just tilling the land for used as food consumption. Now, people started building houses. They came from nowhere. We could have gotten the land if we wanted too. But, seeing the future like what happen now is Risky.
I remember the last time we had this flood. I was in elementary grades and I was sick because it was a rainy week. We live near the riverbanks and our house was flooded up to the floor. Since it is build up high, the water was actually more than 5ft high so, my uncle carry us to safety in his house across the street.
People evacuating holding ropes as lifeline. I know the current is strong. I know the river so well. This is my playground ... funny to recall now. It was more clean, wide and deep at that time.
Shown in this picture are ordinary human that rescues thy neighbors. We have rescuers but, they are not in this area. This is not the worst part. Water had subside now. One child was loose from the grasp of parent while they evacuate. Some houses washed towards the sea. But, people goes back to their houses now. There were good samaritan that initiated giving relief goods and food. Life will be back to normal. I hope the families realize the risk they are having in this place. I hope government should do something to relocate them in a much more safer place.
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