Meralco: 98,000 customers lose power amid 'habagat' rains

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rains and severe flooding brought by the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” have disrupted electricity service for approximately 98,000 customers across Luzon, power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said on Sunday, August 9. In a statement, the utility firm said the figure represents roughly 1% of Meralco’s total customer base. The utility firm noted that the power interruptions were primarily caused by rising floodwaters and damage to electrical infrastructure. The majority of affected households and businesses are located in parts of Cavite, alongside affected areas in Bulacan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal and Batangas. “Our crews are working to restore power service to affected areas as soon as possible and once it is safe to do so. We continue to closely monitor the situation and urge our customers to practice electrical safety,” Meralco Vice President Joe Zaldarriaga said. “We are reminding everyone to stay away from downed power lines, damaged electrical facilities, and electrical equipment that may have been submerged in floodwaters. Kindly report any hazardous electrical situation to Meralco,” he added. According to state weather bureau PAGASA, the habagat may bring occasional rains to Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. Metro Manila was placed under a red rainfall warning at 11 a.m., before the alert level was downgraded to orange as of 2 p.m. Information Source: Philstar Business