Metro Manila hit by widespread flooding amid red rainfall warning

Metro Manila was inundated with severe flooding on Wednesday morning, August 19, as the southwest monsoon intensified, prompting the state weather bureau PAGASA to issue a red rainfall warning for the region. The heavy downpours caused significant disruptions across the capital.

By 10:00 a.m., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units reported numerous flooded areas. In Valenzuela City, Lingunan Bridge and the T. Santiago Rubber Master Lingunan area were impassable, with water levels reaching 26-27 inches, or tire-deep.

Quezon City saw some of the worst conditions, with low-lying areas in Brgy. Damayan experiencing water levels exceeding 60 inches, or above head-deep. Other affected areas in Quezon City included Brgy. Del Monte, Brgy. Mariblo, and Brgy. Sienna, where water levels ranged from 26 to 45 inches, making roads chest-deep or tire-deep.

Malabon City and other parts of Quezon City also reported significant flooding, with water levels varying from half-knee to knee-deep, rendering some roads impassable to light vehicles. The widespread flooding underscored the vulnerability of the metropolitan area to extreme weather events.