Family asks for help in searching for missing Filipino after Nepal flash flood

Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, were suspended on Sunday, August 30, due to flooding. The cathedral announced via a Facebook post late Saturday that floodwaters and silt had entered the church, while its patio and surrounding streets remained submerged. The suspension was cited as a precaution for the safety of attendees. Flooding in the region intensified over the weekend, with multiple incidents reported. On the same day, a man died after falling into a flooded, open manhole in Pampanga. Meanwhile, Senator Robinhood Padilla recounted his experience of being stuck for seven hours on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in San Simon, Pampanga, on Monday, August 31. Padilla left his home at 4:30 a.m. and did not reach the San Simon exit until 11:30 a.m., citing rising floodwaters as a reason for the delay. He stated that alternative routes such as the MacArthur Highway were also impassable. Senator Joel Villanueva highlighted the severity of the traffic congestion, estimating it stretched for about 10 kilometers, with some motorists spending up to 22 hours on the road. Villanueva called for the NLEx Corp. to consider waiving or refunding toll fees for affected motorists and urged long-term solutions to address recurring flooding issues. The Inquirer sought comments from NLEx but had not received a response as of the reporting time. The flooding was linked to heavy monsoon rains and weather disturbances that have caused widespread damage across Luzon. As of Saturday, August 31, more than 30 people had died due to floods and landslides, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Pampanga, Zambales, and other parts of Luzon. Among the victims were nine Aetas from Zambales and Pampanga, and two workers at the Subic Bay Freeport. A lahar warning was issued for Pampanga, although this was not due to volcanic activity but rather heavy rains loosening pyroclastic materials from the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. In addition to human casualties, infrastructure damage was extensive. A section of the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac province collapsed due to strong river currents. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that at least 8 million people, or 2.3 million families, had been affected across 10 regions. Damage to infrastructure was estimated at PHP6.11 billion, while agricultural losses amounted to PHP2.32 billion. At least 117 local government units had declared a state of calamity, with PHP1.65 billion in relief assistance allocated. Floodwaters also impacted the Gugu River in Pampanga, which breached a dike in Minalin town, sending floodwaters towards neighboring Santo Tomas. In Olongapo City, over 1,000 residents were evacuated due to flooding, with 1,395 individuals seeking refuge in evacuation centers. Residents and commuters faced additional challenges as traffic jams persisted. According to reports, traffic along the northbound lane of NLEX in Apalit, Pampanga, remained heavy due to flooding at the San Simon Interchange. Motorists, including truck and delivery drivers, were stranded for hours near the Candaba Viaduct. Some areas of NLEX were reopened briefly before being closed again due to continued flooding. Netizens shared their experiences of being stuck in traffic for hours along NLEX. One individual described a journey that took nearly 24 hours, prompting detours through multiple provinces. Another recounted a harrowing trip involving multiple attempts to find transportation, eventually relying on a truck meant for livestock transport. These accounts underscored the disruption caused by the flooding and the need for improved infrastructure and emergency responses. The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, operator of NLEX, acknowledged the difficulties faced by motorists and committed to working with national and local agencies to implement flood prevention measures. Plans included raising the pavements in Tulaoc, San Simon, once the Tulaoc Bridge elevation project is completed. However, the company emphasized that these efforts would serve as temporary solutions until more permanent fixes are in place. The flooding was attributed to the volume of water brought by the southwest monsoon, exacerbated by existing infrastructure limitations. San Miguel Corp. President Ramon Ang suggested that debris from previous repairs might have contributed to the obstruction of water flow from the Pantabangan Dam, compounding the flooding issue. As the situation continues to evolve, authorities and local leaders remain focused on mitigating the impact of ongoing rains and ensuring the safety and well-being of affected communities.