Heavy rains caused by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) forced the cancellation of classes in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon on Thursday.
As of 9 a.m., these local government units have already called off classes:
- Navotas
- Malabon
- Marikina
- Manila
- Caloocan
- Pasig
- Pasay
- Taguig
- Las Piñas
- Paranaque
- Quezon City
- Pateros
- San Juan
- Rizal province
Classes were also suspended in the following areas due to inclement weather:
Abra province – all levels, public and private
Baguio City – preschool to senior high school, public and private
Pampanga – all levels, public and private
Ilocos Norte province – all levels, public and private
Flooding incidents were also reported on several roads in the National Capital Region, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Authorities, meanwhile, urged residents living near the Marikina River to prepare for possible evacuation as the river’s water level hit 15.7 meters (first alarm) as of 7 a.m.
At 8 a.m., PAGASA raised a heavy rainfall alert (yellow) for Metro Manila, Zambales, and Bataan and warned of possible flooding in flood-prone areas.
”Light to moderate with occasional heavy rains affecting Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real), which may persist within three hours. Expect light to moderate rains over Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Batangas, and the rest of Quezon within the next three hours,” the state weather bureau added.
PAGASA said Super Typhoon Goring, which is no longer within the Philippine Area of Responsibility, strengthened the Southwest Monsoon.
Severe Tropical Storm Hanna
In other developments, Severe Tropical Storm Hanna has maintained its strength while moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea.
At 4 a.m., Hanna’s center was located 1,225 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h.
It was moving west northwestward at 20 km/h.
”This tropical cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify until late Saturday or early Sunday, when it is expected to reach its peak intensity. It may be upgraded into a typhoon within 36 hours while still inside the PAR region,” PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
Hanna is forecast to exit the PAR on Friday afternoon or evening while approaching Japan’s Ryukyu Islands.
