THEUNIVERSITYOFMANILA
The Contemporary World
FLOOD
BORRES, ANTHONY LEONDRAE
VILLAMOR, JHOMARI S.
HERNANDEZ, JAQUILINE S.
Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon have caused massive flooding in the
National Capital Region (NCR), highlighting the need to rehabilitate Metro Manila's outdated
drainage system. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman
Romando Artes emphasized the need to update the drainage masterplan to mitigate the effects
of climate change and rising sea levels. Around 70% of the internal drainage system in Metro
Manila is already silted with waste, and a holistic approach is needed to address flooding.
The proposed 50-year drainage masterplan will be funded by the World Bank, and
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led a sectoral meeting on preparations for the La Niña
phenomenon and ensuring the effectiveness of flood mitigation measures after Typhoon
Carina and the enhanced "habagat" battered parts of the country. The flooding brought back
memories of Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009. The proposed drainage masterplan will help
address the challenges posed by climate change, rising sea levels, and the impact of typhoons
on the city's drainage system. (E. Darryl John, 2024)
What are the main causes of this issue?
IMPROPER GARBAGE DISPOSAL
Improper waste disposal is one of the causes of floods. It has a huge impact on our
cities, especially on those people living in low-income areas, which can lead to the
destruction of infrastructure and the death of people. Improper garbage is the reason
why our drainage can’t flow smoothly because it blocks the way of water. This
improper disposal of garbage can cause other issues, like leptospirosis, in people or
other health issues. This is one of our every year issues that, until now, has had no
solution. Even though there are a lot of possible ways, the manners and behaviors of
the people are the main cause of this issue.
HEAVY RAINFALL
Heavy rainfall happens because of the water cycle. Where the water evaporates into
water vapor, the higher the temperature, the faster the water evaporates, causing the
water vapor to condense into droplets. These droplets combine to form dense clouds,
and when they become heavy, they will fall as heavy rain that can lead to flooding if
the rain exceeds the capacity of the drainage system and natural waterways.
OUTDATED DRAINAGE
Based on the article above, nowadays the volume of rainfall is higher due to climate
change and sea level rise. Outdated drainage systems may be one of the key reasons for
flooding, as these systems were designed initially to cope with the lower than current
levels of rain owing to climate change. With the passage of time, these systems could
get blocked with waste or be damaged, which in effect reduces their proper
functioning. Besides, they usually cannot handle the situation where the increased
runoff results from urban development and impervious surfaces.
How does it affect different regions or countries?
ECONOMIC IMPACT/HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Because of the flood, some of the livelihoods of our fellow Filipinos were
completely lost and depleted. Because of this type of calamity, the income
of our workers from the rice fields and others was greatly affected. Due to
this, there is a slight increase in prices, so some of our countrymen,
especially the poor, have more difficulties.
INFRASTRACTURE DAMAGE
Floods have the potential to inflict harm on infrastructure. Roads, buildings, homes,
and bridges can be swept away. Rendered unsafe due to flooding. The foundations of
buildings and houses may weaken as a result of the flood, leading to collapses or
damage. Water and electricity services could be disrupted, resulting in outages and
interruptions. Additionally, floods have the capacity to block drainage systems, with
debris and trash making the situation worse. These challenges make it difficult to
respond to emergencies.
LOSS OF LIFE
Floods can bring about death in both indirect and direct ways. Firstly, floods can cause
instant death through the force of the floodwaters, which is the most direct kind of risk
to life. It is easy for people to get swept away or stuck inside houses by rapid or deep-
water flows that give rise to hazardous conditions from which one can difficult to
escape. Additionally, floods can damage infrastructure such as roads and bridges,
which means that rescue and emergency response are difficult or not even possible.
Moreover, the aftermath of flooding presents great health risks, as contaminated water
can provoke waterborne diseases, and sanitation problems can worsen these troubles.
"In the long term, the loss of essential services, homes, and jobs as well as the
disruption of lives will be the key causes of stress or health issues; hence, the chance of
fatalities will be higher.
What roles do governments, organizations, and individuals play in addressing these
challenges?
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)is planning to copy the
water detention tank in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City water detention
tank that can hold 22,000 cubic meters of water. This is the reason why Bonifacio
Global City (BGC), Taguig City does not experience flood anymore. The
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) want to apply it in other areas
in Manila. This project can help to reduce the flooding case in Manila. The
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also gives
us a warning if the calamity is going to happen so we can be ready and at least save
some of our important things. When our country is experiencing this kind of
calamity, they need to take action by giving our fellow Filipinos basic needs like
food and permanent accommodation, just in case they are also experiencing
flooding. They need to make a plan to lessen the flood in any different places in our
country, especially the drainage. Most commonly, drainage is one of the reasons
why some places are experiencing floods. Drainage needs to be improved,
especially nowadays when the rain and rivers are different from what we
experienced before.
What can you, as students and future leaders, do to contribute to resolving these issues.
Inasmuch as the causes of flooding are unchangeable, as students and future leaders,
there are several actions that can be debated. First and foremost, use the available
platforms to encourage people and 'spread the word’ regarding the causes and
consequences of floods as well as precautionary measures. Call for better practices of
controlling runoff and encouraging good urban drainage management, and back
policies that will promote green infrastructure. For instance, join in riverbank cleaning
or planting of trees, contribute, or come up with local anti-flood measures. There are
numerous steps that can be taken to reduce flooding. As future engineers, we have the
requirement and potential to contribute technically to combating this problem.
Emphasis should be placed on the development and improvement of technical
standards for drainage systems to cater to the increased rainfall and runoff.
