Sustenance and Survival; Flood Updates 2

You have no idea how many posts I had lined up for this week and the next, but to post about such trivial matters would not only be inappropriate, but callous towards my capital's needs. I know it might seem like  a burden to my international readers, but right now I'm being plagued by the feeling of helplessness at being stranded at home and not being able to physically help. So I'm doing my best to at least keep people informed.

UPDATES:
All Rainfall Warning Signals TERMINATED as of 12:20PM. People still advised to monitor weather condition. (via @dost_pagasa)

ADVISORY: Number Coding is lifted tomorrow Aug 9, 2012 (Thursday) in WHOLE Metro Manila including MAKATI.

YELLOW WARNING SIGNAL:
Issued at: 11:00 PM, 08 August 2012 (Wednesday)
Target Areas: Metro Manila

Heavy rainfall (7.5-22.0 mm/hr) over QC, Manila, Caloocan
Moderate to Heavy rainfall (2.5-7.5 mm/hr) was recorded over Pasig & Marikina
Light to Moderate rainfall (1.0-7.0 mm/hr) over the rest of Metro Manila.

Due to the effect of the series of thunderstorms embedded in the Southwest Monsoon, expect Moderate to Heavy (5.0-10.0mm/hr) rains with occasional Heavy to Intense (15.0-30.0mm/hr) rains over QC, Manila, Pasig, CAMANAVA, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Marikina and nearby areas within 2hrs.

Residents in flood/landslides risk areas are advised to take precautionary measures and WATCH OUT for the next warning.

As of 11pm the water level in Marikina River is 19m above sea level.

For more updates check this website out:
http://noah.pscigrid.gov.ph/

Other News
1. Manggahan ‘encroachment’ blamed for Marikina River swelling

Link to the article:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/268905/news/metromanila/manggahan-encroachment-blamed-for-marikina-river-swelling

2. ADVISORY: Number Coding is lifted tomorrow Aug 9, 2012 (Thursday) in WHOLE Metro Manila including MAKATI.

3. For flood reports please fill up this form:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEpkS083YUZEc0wwR0NHNzFYQnNYR1E6MQ


RED WARNING SIGNAL:
Issued at: 04:30 PM, 08 August 2012 (Wednesday)
Target Areas: Metro Manila

Torrential Rainfall (30.0-50.0 mm/hr) over QC, Manila & Marikina,
Heavy to Intense rainfall (15.0-30.0 mm/hr) over Pasig, CAMANAVA, Taguig & Pasay
Moderate to Heavy rainfall (7.5-15.0 mm/hr) over the rest of Metro Manila.

Due to the effect of the series of thunderstorms embedded in the Southwest Monsoon, expect Heavy to Intense (15.0-30.0mm/hr) rains with occasional Torrential (more than 30.0mm/hr) rains within 2hrs. 

Residents in flood/landslides risk areas are advised to take precautionary measures and WATCH OUT for the next warning.

via PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa)


GREEN WARNING SIGNAL: 
Issued at: 03:30 PM, 08 August 2012 (Wednesday)
Target Areas: Metro Manila

Torrential rainfall (30.0-50.0 mm/hr) over Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong & San Juan, 
Heavy to Intense rainfall (15.0-25.0 mm/hr) was recorded over Pasay, Marikina, QC, North of Caloocan, Taguig & Makati 
Moderate to Heavy rainfall (7.5-15.0 mm/hr) over the rest of Metro Manila.

Due to the effect of the series of thunderstorms embedded in the Southwest Monsoon, expect Heavy to Intense (15.0-30.0mm/hr) rains with occasional Torrential (more than 30.0mm/hr) rains over CAMANAVA, Manila, Pasig, Pasay, Taguig, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Makati & QC within 2 hrs. 

Residents in flood/landslides risk areas are advised to take precautionary measures and WATCH OUT for the next warning.

via PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa)

Needless to say, the rain has not let out and is relentless. A number of independent relief operations have begun to spring up here and there (compiled list of relief operations and drop-offs), but there is only so much one can do when a number of roads are impassable.

So for everybody's safety. Before anyone decides to ride gung-ho in an effort to join relief operations, PLEASE THINK OF YOUR OWN SAFETY AS WELL and make sure paths leading to your target operation are clear and passable.

So far, these are The Top 10 Relief Operation Sites which are well moderated. From here, goods are sorted, disseminated and distributed

If you are stuck at home with the financial capability to help DO NOT FORCE YOURSELF TO LEAVE. There are a number of ways you can help - keep people informed and donate via the following:

In-Kind Donation
Local
Please send in-kind local donations to Philippine Red Cross - National Headquarters in Manila. We could also arrange for donation pick-up

International
1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PRC.
2. A letter of acceptance from PRC shall be sent back to the donor.
3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to Philippine Red Cross - National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 1018, Philippines.

The PRC does not accept rotten, damaged, expired or decayed goods. Though we appreciate your generosity, PRC also discourages donations of old clothes as we have more than enough to go around.

Email: fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph

Call Hotline 143
or (+632) 527.0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area
Manila 1018, Philippines
Email: prc@redcross.org.ph

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"To everyone giving FOOD DONATIONS:

Biscuits and Peanut Butter are the BEST, as well as granola bars, chips, hard bread, jerky, bottled drinking water.

Don't give canned goods that don't have easy-open tabs, people don't have can openers. 

Don't give instant noodles, there's no drinking water. 

Don't give uncooked rice, not only is there no water, there's also no rice cooker. 

Don't give anything that needs to be cooked or hard to transport. 

The objective is not nutrition for the next few days but sustenance. We cannot afford luxury, but we'll make do with survival."

If you must donate noodles, please try to pre-cook and pre-package and donate those only to local relief operations and not centralized operations for distribution. Sometimes, we may have good intentions but at the same time, we may just cause people problems, so make sure you know where to donate and what they need.

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credits to their respective owners:

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SOME REMINDERS:

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And lastly:

"Baha ka lang, PILIPINO AKO." 

"You are but a flood, I am a FILIPINO."

Everybody, keep safe!

Ada.