Flash floods hit Metro Cebu

Among the areas hit by flash floods were the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Toledo and Naga and the municipalities of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Mingalanilla and Pinamungahan. (Photo: Eugene Alvin Villar / Wikipedia)

CEBU CITY–Flash floods brought about by heavy rains Monday morning turned major thoroughfares in Metro Cebu and other areas into virtual rivers, causing hours of traffic gridlock.

Among the areas hit by flash floods were the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Toledo and Naga and the municipalities of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Mingalanilla and Pinamungahan.

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan Station chief, said the three-hour rain started at 4 a.m. Monday.

Quiblat said the rains were the result of a convergence of easterly winds.

He said Metro Cebu would continue to have rains until Wednesday.

Quiblat said the Pagasa Mactan Station recorded 99 millimeters of rainfall, way above the normal rainfall of 50 millimeters expected in April.

He said every millimeter of rain was equivalent to 5,000 drums of water.

Quiblat said the rains poured Monday morning were equivalent to 495,000 drums of water.