Parts of QC flooded due to heavy rains; PAGASA says it's not yet wet season

Some parts of Quezon City were flooded due to the heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon.

According to Super Radyo dzBB’s Luisito Santos, a gutter-deep flood was reported at Quezon Avenue corner Biak na Bato at 3:17 p.m.

Likewise, a similar situation was reported at NS Amoranto at 3:39 p.m. The gutter-deep flood made the street impassable to vehicles.

According to PAGASA’s thunderstorm advisory at 2:40 p.m., heavy to intense rains, with lightning and strong winds were experienced in Marikina City and Quezon City.

Another advisory issued at 4:15 p.m., heavy to intense rainshowers are expected over Bataan, Pampanga(Lubao, Floridablanca, Porac, Angeles, Mabalacat), Laguna(San Pablo, Alaminos, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao, Calamba, Binan, San Pedro), Rizal(Binangonan, Cardona, Morong, Taytay, Angono, Cainta, Baras, Tanay, Pililla, Jala-Jala) and Metro Manila(Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Taguig, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, Las Pinas, Pasay) within the next two hours.

Not yet wet season

Despite the downpours being experienced in parts of the country, state weather bureau PAGASA said it is not yet the wet season.

“Normally, climatologically, mas dumadalas yung occurrences ng thunderstorm activities sa panahon ng tag-init,” said PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James Villamil in Jaime Santos’ report in “24 Oras Weekend.”

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

“For the later 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.)

But the water level at Angat Dam, which is the source of water in Metro Manila, is still declining even though rains are being recorded.

“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.)

“Ito pong sa water treatment facilities at sa kasalukuyan po pinayagan na rin po, pinahintulutan ng NWRB na i-activate po ang mga deep wells dito po sa Metro Manila para kung sakaling mangailangan ng karagdagang supply na ‘di kayang ibigay ng Angat Dam, mayroong may ibang pagkukunan,” he added.

(Regarding the water treatment facilities, the NWRB has also currently allowed and authorized the activation of deep wells here in Metro Manila. This is so that in case additional supply is needed that Angat Dam cannot provide, there will be alternative sources.)

Although the wet season is expected by end-May or by June, PAGASA said the El Niño 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.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News