Intense rains hit Metro Manila, Luzon provinces; severe flooding feared

MANILA, Philippines - Severe flooding is expected in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Luzon as Tropical Storm "Maring" was expected to continue to pound the capital region and nearby provinces with heavy rains until before dawn Monday.

In its Red Rainfall Alert issued at 12:10 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the heavy to intense rains affecting Metro Manila, Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and northern Quezon will continue until after 3 a.m.

PAGASA also warned of moderate to heavy rains over Nueva Ecija and the remaining parts of Quezon.

"SEVER FLOODING is expected. All are advised to take precautionary measures," PAGASA said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has alerted all its units in the affected areas in Luzon.

The agency on Sunday night announced the suspension of classes on Monday in pre-school and elementary levels in:

• Metro Manila
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Pangasinan
• La Union
• Benguet
• Bataan
• Zambales
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Rizal
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Occidental Mindoro

The NDRRMC said that the suspension of classes in high school and college levels "is left to the discretion of local chief executives."

For updates on the suspension of classes click on this link Class suspension for Monday, August 19, while LIVE news updates and information can be viewed here. #MaringUpdates

'Critical level'

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said seven to eight inches of floodwaters were reported on E. Rodriguez-Araneta Avenue in Quezon City and 27 inches of floodwaters on R. Papa Street in Manila.

Knee-deep floods were also reported on Maria Clara Biak na Bato, Gumamela St. Brgy. Roxas in Quezon City, Brgy. Tatalon Araneta Villa España, and Brgy. Sto. Domingo Biak na Bato Street.

Waist-deep flood was also reported on Brgy. Sto Domingo Maria Clara Street.

It also reported that the Maria Clara-Araneta Creek in Quezon City was overflowing as of 10:52 p.m.

The Marikina City government’s public information office, meanwhile, announced through its Twitter account that the Marikina River's water level has reached 16.1 meters.

It said alert level 2 was still up and all floodgates of the river have been opened.

In its website, the Marikina City government said that at 16 meters critical areas including Libis (Malanday, Balubad (Nangka), Tumana and other low-lying areas near the river should already prepare for evacuation.

When the river's water level reaches 17 meters, alarm level 3 is declared and evacuation is enforced.

The city government said that as of 1:48 a.m., there are already 108 families or 551 persons who have fled their homes and are staying in a temporary evacuation center at the Bulelak Gym.

No PAGASA storm warning signal

PAGASA said that as of 10 p.m. Sunday, the storm's center was estimated at 530 kilometers east southeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was forecast to move southeast at a speed of 7 kph.

PAGASA had hoisted public storm warning signal No. 1 over Batanes on Saturday, but it was lifted the same day. As of this posting, the weather bureau has not issued any public storm warning signal in areas affected by intense rains, including Metro Manila.

The storm was forecast to slightly move away from Itbayat town until Wednesday night.

The weather bureau said the storm will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms over Luzon particularly over the western section, including Metro Manila.

"Fishermen specially those using small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon due to the possible big waves generated by the enhance Southwest Monsoon," PAGASA said.