Sleet and rain over NCR due to passing thunderstorm

Heavy rain fell on parts of Metro Manila even as bits of ice pelted parts of Quezon City Thursday afternoon, both unusual occurrences in the normally hot and dry days leading up to summer.

 

PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran explained that the heavy rain was the result of a passing thunderstorm and not any cyclone or weather disturbance.

 

"Local thunderstorm ang nangyari kanina. Ito may malakas na pag-ulan at malakas na hangin," Duran said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

Meanwhile, the agency also received reports of sleet —bits of ice mixed with rain—  in some parts of Quezon City, although no complaints of injuries were received.

 

Floods, poor visibility

 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said that as of 4:45 p.m., flooding was reported at the corner of Victory and Araneta Streets in Quezon City.

 

The MMDA said the flood at the outermost part of the northbound and southbound lanes were half-tire deep.

 

In Quezon City, a report by dzBB's Rowena Salvacion said visibility was poor on some roads due to the heavy rain.

 

Near Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, dzBB's Tuesday Niu said heavy rain fell for 30 minutes.

 

In Manila, dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa said rain fell over United Nations Avenue as early as before 2 p.m. and then again past 4 p.m. — TJD, GMA News