Heavy rains spawn floods

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Many areas in Metro Manila and other parts of the country were swamped with floods on Saturday night as heavy rains triggered by a localized thunderstorm pounded Luzon.

Areas that were chest-deep in floods included Maria Clara St., Araneta Avenue and Barangay Vasra in Quezon City.

Quezon Avenue, EDSA, E. Rodriguez Ave. and Ortigas Ave., Timog Ave. and EDSA Taft Rotonda were also flooded.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said that floods subsided a few hours later.

The Marikina River swelled to 13.6 meters. Several streets in Providence Village were flooded.

All the floodgates of the Manggahan floodway were opened.

In Alabel Sarangani province, at least 200 families were evacuated due to flooding in two villages.

In Maitum, Sarangani, some houses were swept away when the river overflowed.

Some 50 families from six barangays were affected.

In Barangay Maasin, Zamboanga City, 15 families were taken to evacuation centers.

Weather forecasters said rains will continue on Sunday because of the habagat, or southwest monsoon.

"Ngayong araw, ang pinaka-apektado po ay ang rehiyon ng Mimaropa (Today, the most affected is the Mimaropa region)," Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Benison Estareja said.

Portions of Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms because of the southwest monsoon.

Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley will have isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon and evening.

Source: TheManila Times