NCR, nearby provinces drenched by Habagat rains, brace for more

The enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat drenched Metro Manila and nearby provinces on Monday, with the forecast for more rain to come on Tuesday.

A number of local governments had individually suspended Monday classes a day earlier. But with heavy rain pounding the metro, the Department of the Interior and Local Government sought, and received, approval for an order suspending Tuesday classes and some government work in the National Capital Region and in the provinces of Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Tarlac, and Zambales.

The third alarm was raised for the Marikina River's water level, with hundreds of families living nearby evacuated. Those living near the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City and Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal were also warned, as they spilled over.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives suspended work, as did the Supreme Court and courts in NCR.

Flooding rendered some roads impassable, snarling traffic in parts of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

In Metro Manila, commuters were stranded due to the floods while motorists were stuck in traffic. The government offered free rides on the metro's rapid transit systems as well as free bus and truck rides.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) eventually suspended the number coding scheme and later announced it will continue to be suspended on Tuesday, including in Makati.

Several malls are offering free parking, Wi-Fi, and charging stations for stranded travelers.

In Quezon City, a child was swept away by floodwaters but was fortunately rescued.

In Occidental Mindoro, a warehouse containing National Food Authority (NFA) rice was flooded, butthe rice was safe from the water.

Waist-deep or chest-deep floods struck parts of Luzon, including Cainta in Rizal, Macabebe in Pampanga, and Calumpit in Bulacan, where Barangay Meysulao has dealt with flooded streets wiith or without rain for more than a year.

While Tropical Storm Crising, which enhanced the Habagat, has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, two more low pressure areas are being monitored for the potential of turning into storms.— BM, GMA Integrated News