'Serious flooding' threatens parts of Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Classes in some elementary and high schools were suspended in parts of Metro Manila as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a yellow warning over the metropolis due to strong rains spawned by a low pressure area near Batangas province.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim suspended classes in all public schools - pre-school to high school levels -- in the capital city due to strong rains and flooding.

All public schools from pre-school to high school levels were also suspended in Pasay and Parañaque cities.

The other schools suspended due to strong and non-stop rains were the Eton International School in Quezon City, Karuhatan Elementary School and Karuhatan National High School in Valenzuela, Sto. Niño Catholic School in Taguig City, Headway School of Giftedness (preschool and elementary), Teahcers Village East (preschool), Child Development Center in Pasig City, Academy of Christian Excellence Montessori School in Cainta, Rizal, Pinyahan Elementary School, Talisay Batangas Elementary and High School, Jose Abad Santos Memorial Schol, Flora Ylagan High School, Philippine Medical Women's School.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile have advised that work at the Senate was suspended due to the bad weather. Meanwhile, there was no announcement on the suspension of work at the House of Representatives.

Yellow warning, serious flooding

PAGASA issued a yellow warning signal all over Metro Manila due to the bad weather.

"At 8:00 a.m., a 4.4 millimeter rainfall at Science Garden, Quezon City and 2.9 millimeter at Port Area, Manila were observed and most likely to continue for the next hour. Possible flooding in low-lying areas and those located near the river channels," PAGASA said in its advisory posted in its Twitter account.

Earlier, the weather bureau tweeted that "serious flooding" in Metro Manila, particularly at the Port Area, was expected due to heavy rains.

"At 3:15 a.m., July 3, 64 millimeter [volume] of rainfall at the Port Area for the past 4 hours and most likely to continue for the next hour. Serious flooding is expected," PAGASA said in its Twitter account.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has retained its red alert status, which was implemented since Tropical Storm Butchoy.

The NDRRMC particularly alerted its units in Metro Manila and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) due to the low pressure area spotted near Batangas.

As of 2 a.m. today, the low pressure area was estimated at 30 kilometers north of Ambulong town in Batangas.