Vehicles stuck on EDSA after intense rainfall, heavy flooding

Vehicles on a standstill on flooded EDSA (Photo form MMDA)

MANILA – The traffic condition on EDSA was even more unbearable on Tuesday night as tens of thousands of motorists and commuters were stranded for hours after a sudden thunderstorm caused flooded areas on the highway and on other major roads.

“Most motorists with small cars stopped along the roads where there were floods, blocking intersections and other vehicles,” Makati Public Safety Assistance (MAPSA) officer in charge Elmer Cabrera said.

Stuck on EDSA until midnight, the public wondered where the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) or the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) traffic marshals were as they have not seen anyone guiding vehicles or easing traffic congestion.

Not able to do anything but endure the horrendous traffic, commuters vented their frustrations on social media, using #EDSA, #EDSATraffic and #carmageddon on their posts.

Tuesday’s downpour was the heaviest rainfall recorded by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) this month, with 61 milliliters per hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

But not blaming the traffic jam on the rain alone, motorists also criticized the ongoing road construction projects, clogged drainage, too many vehicles and the absence of traffic enforcers.