Rains flood parts of PH outside of wet season, with no LPA

Various parts of the country were dampened with heavy rains over the weekend due to localized thunderstorms, the state weather bureau said.

Gutter-deep floodings were reported in Metro Manila. For instance, residents in Barangay Manuyo Dos in Las Piñas City had to wade through floodwaters on Saturday evening.

On Sunday afternoon, some parts of Quezon City were flooded due to heavy to intense rains. Floods were reported in Quezon Avenue corner Biak na Bato and along NS Amoranto Street.

Naglutangan ang mga basura sa bahagi ng NS Amoranto, QC matapos bumuhos ang malakas na ulan ngayong Linggo ng hapon, May 17, 2026; ilang kalsada sa lungsod, hindi rin madaanan ng mga sasakyan dahil sa baha

🎥@luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/caAK4tpORL

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 17, 2026

The rains also caused floods in areas outside of Metro Manila.

Residents in Dagupan City, Pangasinan experienced a rainy Saturday night that led to flooding in some areas. Floodwaters in Dagupan City subsided after more than two hours.

In Senator Ninoy Aquino, persistent afternoon rains caused creeks and rivers to overflow, resulting in flooding. Several pigs had to be rescued after a pig pen was submerged.

Heavy rains also triggered flooding in Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao del sur where overflowing rivers and creeks inundated portions of the national highway.

In Tampakan, South Cotabato, strong winds toppled a tree onto a road, disrupting traffic until residents helped clear the obstruction.

Not yet wet season

But PAGASA said it is not yet the wet season as thunderstorms are normal in the latter half of May.

“Normally, climatologically, mas dumadalas ‘yung occurrences ng thunderstorm activities sa panahon ng tag-init,” said PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James Villamil.

(Normally and climatologically speaking, the occurrences of thunderstorm activities become more frequent during the dry season.)

“For the latter half of May, mas madalas na ‘yung mga occurrences na ito. Throughout the day, may chances ng thunderstorms. Pero usually, mas mataas lang ang mga pag-ulan na ito afternoon to late evening,” he added.

(For the latter half of May, these occurrences become more frequent. Throughout the day, there are chances of thunderstorms. But usually, these rains are heavier from the afternoon to late evening.)

The water level at Angat Dam – which is the source of water in Metro Manila – is still receding even with the rains.

“Dahil mababa na siya sa minimum operating level, ay kailangan na natin i-regulate yung pagre-release ng Angat Dam sa ibang gamit nito gaya ng irigasyon. Kaya sa kasalukuyan ay binawasan na ang alokasyon para sa irigasyon. At by next week po, baka i-suspend na ang pag-release sa irigasyon,” said National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director Sevillo David Jr.

(As it is already below the minimum operating level, we need to regulate Angat Dam’s water releases for its other uses, such as irrigation. That is why the allocation for irrigation has currently been reduced. And by next week, the release for irrigation might be suspended entirely.)

Heat index, El Niño

There are at least 37 areas that may record “danger” heat index levels ranging from 42°C to 45°C on Monday, based on PAGASA’s five-day heat index forecast.

Coron and Cuyo in Palawan; and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro may experience a 45°C heat index tomorrow.

The NAIA area in Pasay City is also under “danger” level heat index on Monday at 42°C.

Heat index refers to the temperature the human body feels when relative humidity is combined with actual air temperature. High humidity reduces the evaporation of sweat, making it more difficult for the body to cool down.

Although the wet season is expected by end-May or by June, PAGASA said the El Niño phenomenon may start by June and last until the early part of 2027.

“Based on our latest assessment, on the second half of the year pa po. Second half of the year pa natin mararanasan yung peak ng effect ng El Niño,” said Villamil.

(Based on our latest assessment, it will be in the second half of the year. It’s only in the second half of the year that we will experience the peak effect of the El Niño weather pattern.)

The country is also preparing for the possibility of a Super El Niño, which may bring drier than usual conditions in the easter part of the country and above normal rainfall events in the western part of the country.

“So far po, ‘pag ganito ‘yung pinakamalakas talaga na El Niño, ang pinaka-impact po niyan, especially sa may eastern section po ng bansa po natin, medyo drier than usual po, or below normal ‘yung rainfall na naranasan,” said PAGASA weather specialist Charmagne Varilla.

(So far, as regards the strongest El Niño, most of its impact will be felt especially in the eastern section of our country, where it will be a bit drier than usual, and rainfall, below normal.)

PAGASA said storms may reach typhoon to super typhoon category.

“Medyo kaunti lang than usual ‘yung ating nararanasan na mga bagyo, pero ‘pag nag-landfall po siya, nasa matataas po talaga na category. So typhoon to super typhoon,” she said.

(We are experiencing fewer typhoons than usual, but when they make landfall, they will be in higher categories. Typhoon to super typhoon.) — JMA, GMA News