Philippines: Manila sinking at a fast pace

The land level of Metro Manila where there are 10 million residents, has been sinking while its sea level has been rising at a fast pace, an expert said, adding that reclamations and over-extraction of water have exacerbated the situation in the capital. The sea level surrounding Metro Manila is rising by almost one centimetre per year because of global warming, Dr Fernando Siringan of the UP [University of Philippines] Marine Science Institute said during a Senate hearing, the data of which was reported by GMA News. The entire Metro Manila is sinking by several centimetres per year, estimated as one metre in four years, said Siringan, adding that in northern suburban Malabon, a fishing area compared to Venice, has been sinking by 10 centimetres a year. Some streets that were elevated by one metre to avoid flood, were flooded again by sea water and not just by rain water in four years, said Siringan, adding, ‘It only means that Metro Manila’s land level is going down.’

Some places that were never flooded before, have been experiencing floods, said Siringan, adding this is more noticeable in almost all places in Metro Manila. Scientists suggested that rivers must be widened, not just be de-silted or made deeper. But the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) did not follow this suggestion for flood control. Instead, the government has continued with its reclamation projects on the coastal areas on the county’s eastern seaboard, to accommodate high-end infrastructure projects, ‘Over-extraction of ground water has also contributed to the sinking of land level in Metro Manila’, said Siringan adding ‘These conditions should be considered by developers of infrastructure projects.’

Read the full article: Gulf News

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