SEVERAL areas in Metro Manila experienced flooding on Thursday due to heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).
The floods also stranded several passengers, prompting local governments to deploy vehicles to offer free rides.
In Manila, gutter-deep flooding was reported on the corner of Taft Avenue and Gen. Malvar St., Escoda St, UN Avenue, Kalaw Avenue, and Ayala Boulevard; Felix Huertas Road corner Bambang Street; Felix Huertas Road corner Mayhalique Street; and Juan Luna street corner Hermosa Street as of Thursday morning.
Motorists were also seen passing through gutter-deep floods along España Boulevard.
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also offered free rides for stranded commuters.
Meanwhile, several individuals were earlier seen riding on a boat to pass through waist-deep flood on Araneta Avenue corner E. Rodriguez in Quezon City.
In Malabon, floods less than 10-inch deep were also reported on MH Del Pilar Street, Gov. Pascual Avenue, Pampano Street in the vicinity of the City of Malabon University, and in Barangays Catmon, Maysilo, Tonsuya, and Dampalit.
The Valenzuela City, Command, Control, and Communication reported that flooding was experienced in Dalandanan and Veinte Reales.
The incessant rains also caused the Marikina River to rise. As of 1:30 p.m., it has reached a level of 15.8 meters.
The city has also founded the first alarm, which means residents are encouraged to start preparing for possible evacuation.
Local government units in the National Capital Region and other provinces suspended classes on Thursday morning due to inclement weather.
‘Hanna’ intensifies
Meanwhile, the state weather bureau reported that severe tropical storm Hanna (international name Haikui) has intensified and was 1,160 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 10 a.m.
It has maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 km/h. Hanna is moving westward at 10 km/h.
PAGASA said it expects the tropical cyclone to remain far from the Philippine landmass and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday.
Hanna and Super Typhoon Goring, which has exited the PAR, continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon, it said.
It also said the southwest monsoon will continue to bring gusty conditions in Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas on Thursday and Friday.
On Saturday, this will also be experienced in Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Aurora, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas.
