The southwest monsoon is back with a vengeance. PAGASA has hoisted the red rainfall warning over Metro Manila and at least eight other areas in Luzon as continuous rains flooded streets, triggered a bridge collapse in Tarlac, and pushed La Mesa Dam to within a third of a meter of overflowing. Here is the latest situation as of Saturday, August 29.
Red rainfall warning: the areas affected
In an advisory issued at 11 a.m., the state weather bureau placed the following areas under a red warning, which means more than 30 millimeters of rain within the next three hours:
- Metro Manila
- Zambales
- Bataan
- Pampanga
- Bulacan
- Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Mayantoc, Santa Ignacia, San Jose, Capas, Bamban)
- Batangas (Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, Balayan)
- Cavite (Magallanes, Maragondon, Ternate, Bacoor, Cavite City, Imus, Kawit, Naic, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, General Trias)
- Rizal (San Mateo, Cainta, Taytay, Rodriguez, Antipolo, Morong, Teresa, Angono, Binangonan, Cardona)
An orange warning for 15 to 30 mm of rain was also up over parts of Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal and Tarlac, while a yellow warning covered Nueva Ecija and parts of Quezon and Batangas.
La Mesa Dam inches toward overflow
PAGASA said La Mesa Dam hit 79.81 meters as of 10 a.m., just 0.34 meters below its overflow elevation of 80.15 meters. With 137.5 mm of rain observed in 24 hours and more forecast, the water level is expected to keep rising.
Excess water would flow straight into the Tullahan River. Low-lying areas that may be affected include Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria and San Bartolome in Quezon City; Caloocan City; North Expressway and La Huerta Subdivision in Valenzuela; and Malabon and Navotas.
Aquino Bridge collapses in Tarlac
A portion of the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City collapsed on Friday night amid continuous rains and strong river currents, caught on CCTV at 11:56 p.m. The damaged bridge has been closed to traffic and motorists were advised to take alternative routes. Local disaster offices and the Department of Public Works and Highways are assessing the structure.
Floods, canceled trips and what to expect
Several Metro Manila roads were flooded on Saturday, and the MMDA suspended Pasig River Ferry trips. Bulacan and Pampanga are bracing for more flooding as high tide threatens to push water levels higher in already-submerged areas, and rescue teams in Dinalupihan, Bataan responded to overnight flooding where waters reached six to seven feet.
The rains are expected to continue through the weekend. For those still commuting, watch out for flash floods in low-lying areas and check local announcements for class and work suspensions, which the site has tracked all week including the August 28 list.
Stay safe and keep an eye on PAGASA advisories. For more on the season ahead, see why the bureau forecasts 5 to 7 more tropical cyclones before 2026 ends.
