95,000 affected in Luzon due to ‘Maring,’ monsoon rains—NDRRMC

Photo from aerial inspection by Air Force in Laguna.

MANILA, Philippines — Torrential rains dumped by the southwest monsoon enhanced by tropical storm “Maring” (international name Trami) has affected nearly 95,000 persons, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Monday afternoon.

In an afternoon press briefing, Major Rey Balido, NDRRMC spokesman said that there were 94,226 persons or 19,981 families affected by the weather disturbances.

Of the affected persons in the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, 60 percent came from Calabarzon with 12,022 families or 60,640 persons.

Fatalities remained at three, with 11 persons injured and four missing.

There were also 46 roads in Central Luzon, Cordillera and Calabarzon which were impassable to vehicles, Balido said.

The national government declared suspension of classes in Metro Manila and some Luzon provinces, as well as government offices in Metro Manila early Monday after the state weather bureau recommended the cancellation of classes. Local government units in several areas already announced declaration of suspension of classes as early as Sunday night.

Floods also hit several thoroughfares in Metro Manila due to the heavy downpour. As of 5 a.m., parts of Manila, Quezon City, Makati City and southern Metro Manila remained flooded, while Buendia off-ramp from the Skyway was closed to traffic.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration first issued a red rainfall alert, or a rainfall of more than 30 mm within an hour, at about 9 p.m. Sunday in Metro Manila Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and northern Quezon and extended it thrice early Monday.

Major reservoirs in Luzon also continued to spill water as water levels continued to swell, while La Mesa Dam in Quezon City approached red alert early Monday. Residents near Tullahan river were warned to evacuate.

Waters also rose in Marikina River, which prompted the evacuation of about 2,000 persons. Floodgates were opened as alarm level two was reached Sunday night, but alarm level was lifted Monday afternoon.

Domestic flights have also been cancelled  due to bad weather conditions.

The incessant rains which pounded Luzon was caused by the prevailing southwest monsoon and Maring, the 13th cyclone to hit the Philippines this year.

The storm, which intensified from a tropical depression Sunday afternoon, continued to move slowly and kept changing directions, and was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday. Until then, rains were seen to continue.

Up to 20 storms are expected to hit the country every year.