EXPLAINER: What is a downburst?

The state weather bureau confirmed that a downburst and severe thunderstorm were experienced in some parts of Luzon on Sunday, according to Katrina Son's report on "State of the Nation."

Downburst is a powerful, localized downdraft of air rushing down from a thunderstorm.

In Malabon City, a roll-up door of a mall was almost destroyed by strong winds and heavy rains on Sunday evening. In the same city, a YouScooper was able to take a video of what looked like a tornado in the sky near Barangay San Agustin.

In yet another Barangay, there was flooding and some electrical posts were knocked down and caused a power outage in about 500 Meralco clients.

Residents in Manila and Quezon City witnessed a heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning.

Localized thunderstorms caused flooding in Metro Manila Sunday night. But last night residents experienced what felt like a severe storm. It was a downburst, according to PAGASA.

"Nagkaroon din po tayo ng downburst dahil may severe thunderstorm. Yung mga thunderstorm clouds natin, yung sa loob nun may malalakas na hangin. So, pwedeng bumaba yung malakas na hangin," said Veronica Torres, PAGASA weather specialist.

(We also had a downburst because there was a severe thunderstorm. The thunderstorm clouds, the ones inside the downburst have strong winds. So, the strong wind can go down.)

This can occur a number of times when there s a severe thunderstorm.

Downburst, which usually occurs during the month of May or the Habagat (southwest monsoon), can be dangerous especially if it brings debris with it.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said that even if downbursts occur for only a few minutes, it can still be strong enough to uproot a tree or knock down a post and be able to move a vehicle.

PAGASA said, whether there is a downburst or not, the people should take proper precautionary measures, including the following:

stay in a dry area, wet areas conduct electricity

stay indoors

do not take shelter under tall trees you may be struck by lightning

— BAP, GMA News