Metro Manila, Bulacan, other areas flooded after heavy rains

Areas across Metro Manila and several provinces in the country such as Zamboanga were hit by floods over the weekend due to the heavy rains amid the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and a low pressure area (LPA).

In Zamboanga City, floods reached the average human height, forcing families to evacuate, as reported on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday. A river in the area has also overflowed to reach nearby roads and houses.

At least 27 families have been evacuated temporarily to the Cabatangan Barangay Hall, and another 25 to the Ayala gymnasium due to the floods. Authorities continue to hold rescue operations, with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) on Blue Alert since Friday, June 6, due to the inclement weather conditions.

One fatality, only identified as a male, was reported to have drowned while swimming in the ocean.

Floods were also recorded in San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, and in Roxas Boulevard that runs along the shores of the Manila Bay.

In Barangay San Rafael I in SJDM, the waters rose so quickly that it damaged a bridge railing and brought trash into the flooded streets.

"In the span of 30 minutes, talagang sumobrang laki na po ng tubig. Kaya hindi po namin sukat-akalain na lalaki nang sobrang laki yung tubig, at babahain kami ng sobra," said a barangay official.

(In the span of 30 minutes, the waters rose so much. We would not have imagined that the level would rise that much and flood us to this extent.)

In its 11 p.m. weather advisory on Sunday, PAGASA said that 50 millimeters to 100 millimeters of rainfall is expected in Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, and Antique until Monday evening due to the Habagat. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News