Unrelenting downpour in Metro Manila has prompted the Philippines’ weather bureau to hoist the highest alert warning for rains on Monday evening, triggering fears of a second Ondoy, a storm that submerged more than three-fourths of the country’s capital three years ago.
As of 9 pm, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised the red warning over the capital, describing the rains in the past three hours as "heavy to intense."
Accumulated rainfall over Metro Manila reached 83.5 millimeters (mm) in over three hours, Pagasa said. In Marikina, the rainfall reached 63.5 mm since 6 pm.
"Occasional Heavy to Intense (10.0 to 30.0 mm/hr) rainfall is expected over Metro Manila and most likely to continue for the next 3 hours. Flooding over low-lying areas and those located near the river channels," Pagasa added.
As a result, water levels at the Marikina River continued to climb.
As of 9 pm, the water level was at 16.32 meters and may reach just a little under 17 meters by 11 pm if the rains do not cease, Dr. Mahar Lagmay of the government's flood monitoring system, Project Noah.
Heavy rains have rendered several roads unpassable to most vehicles.
The Metro Manila Development Authority's Twitter account became flooded with alerts from motorists about the current situation on the ground.
As of 9 pm, Maysilo Circle in Mandaluyong was unpassable to cars and light vehicles due to the waist-deep floods. Traffic was also at a stands-still in Coastal Road, Valenzuela Exit to Camachile in Quezon City and San Mateo, Rizal.
Incessant rains have also triggered fears of a second Ondoy over Twitter. Ondoy was the tropical storm in 2009 that placed 80 percent of Metro Manila and nearby areas under water.
"The rain is nonstop and is causing major flooding and traffic everywhere. i hope we don't have another Ondoy!" said Christopher Tan (@imchristan)
"Not again Lord. :'( Ondoy left me traumatized. Had to evacuate the house for 2 weeks, chest-deep waters, dead bodies beside the roads," said John Paul Lazaro (@TheJPlazaro).
"Raining hard for the past several hours... looks like we're headed to another ondoy. please remain safe everyone!" said Fernan Angeles (@FernanJAngeles).
However, based on Pagasa's findings, rainfaill only measured 6.0 mm, far lower than the 29.3 mm recorded between 7-8 pm this evening.
While incessant, the amount of rainfall varies in intensity and does not follow the 56.8 mm/hr rains recorded in six hours on September 2009 that was spawned by Ondoy.
Rains in Luzon are caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon or Habagat that will persist till the end of the week, according to Pagasa.
source: interaksyon.com
