MMDA: Avoid These Flood-Prone Areas in NCR During Rush Hour and Heavy Rains

Floods can clog our roads and cause tremendous traffic jams around the metro. And while we can't always avoid these bumper-to-bumper nuisances, we can lessen these occurrences by avoiding places where they happen the most--during rush hour and heavy rains.

According to the Metro Manila Development Agency (MMDA), these major streets are "not passable to light vehicles” due to traffic jams:

• Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) near the Balintawak station of Light Railway Transit
• EDSA-Quezon Avenue Service Road near Centris Commercial Center
• Quezon Avenue - Biak na Bato in Quezon City
• Espana Boulevard near Maceda Street and Blumentritt Street in Manila
• Rizal Avenue near R. Papa Street in Manila

These areas are “not passable to all types of vehicles” due to knee-deep or gutter-deep floods:

• Areas of Araneta Avenue near Talayan and Victory Avenue, E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City
• Commonwealth Avenue near the areas of Tandang Sora, Masaya Street and Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City
• Elliptical Road corner East Avenue in Quezon City
• Quirino Avenue in the areas of Plaza Dilao, and Pedro Gil and Guazon Streets in the city of Manila

They classify these locations as "flood-prone areas" around the metropolis:

• Rizal Avenue corner Ricardo Papa, Sampaloc and its immediate vicinity in the city of Manila
• Quiapo and its immediate vicinity in the City of Manila
• Makati Diversion Channel, South Superhighway, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and its vicinity in Makati City
• Maysilo Circle—Boni Avenue and its vicinity, Kalentong Street, New Panaderos Street, Shaw Boulevard and Acacia Lane in Mandaluyong City
• Barangay Doña Imelda, Damayan Lagi, Tatalon and Talayan in Quezon City
• Ninoy Aquino Avenue and its vicinity in Parañaque City

MMDA advises commuters and drivers to stay indoors and keep calm during heavy rains. It's always good to have a nearby flashlight and radio with you at all times to monitor weather reports in real-time. Make sure to stock up on fresh water, food, batteries, and first-aid supplies in case of emergencies, and head to a nearby evacuation center if your house is in a flooded area.