Philippines Grapples with Habagat Flooding, Marikina River Surges

The Philippines is grappling with widespread flooding as the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) intensifies, bringing heavy rains across various regions. Key water bodies, including La Mesa Dam and the Marikina River in Metro Manila, have reached critical levels, prompting alerts and evacuation warnings. La Mesa Dam in Quezon City breached its critical water level on Sunday, August 9, 2026, reaching 79.77 meters as of 10:20 a.m., according to PAGASA. This level is above the critical threshold of 79.50 meters, with the spilling level at 80.15 meters. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, as a potential water release could inundate low-lying areas and barangays along the Tullahan River, affecting Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Malabon City, and Navotas. Residents in these areas are urged to remain vigilant and prepared. Meanwhile, the Marikina River has also seen a significant rise in its water level. The second alarm was raised at 10:56 a.m. on Sunday when the river reached 16.0 meters. The city's disaster management protocol dictates that a first alarm is issued at 15 meters (prepare), while a third alarm (force evacuation) is declared at 18 meters. The first alarm had been raised the previous night, Saturday, at 9 p.m., when the water level stood at 15.3 meters. PAGASA has warned that the Southwest Monsoon will continue to bring occasional moderate to heavy rains over Metro Manila, parts of Luzon, and the Visayas on Sunday, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides. In Bulacan province, coastal areas are experiencing flooding due to a combination of heavy monsoon rains and high tide. Retired Colonel Manuel Lukban, head of the Bulacan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, reported that as of 6 a.m. Sunday, water levels in coastal areas were over four feet, a situation exacerbated by the high tide. He noted that this high water level is common in coastal areas like Hagonoy, Bulakan, Paombong, Marilao, Obando, and Meycauayan, even without rain. Some barangays in Hagonoy, such as Santa Ana and San Miguel, reported water levels between two to three feet due to high tide, but these were expected to subside by noon. In response to the adverse weather conditions, several local government units and educational institutions have announced class suspensions for Monday, August 10, 2026. Abra province has suspended all classes from all levels, both public and private, and work in all government offices. The University of Santo Tomas has also announced the suspension of face-to-face classes for all levels, with instruction to be delivered via an enriched virtual mode. As of 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has listed several flooded areas within Metro Manila. These include the Edsa P. Tuazon tunnel NB in Quezon City (gutter deep, passable), Alabang Zapote Junction and Marcos Alvarez Road in Las Piñas City (knee deep, not passable to light vehicles), Ninoy Aquino Oyster Plaza and Dr. A. Santos Ave. in Parañaque City (half tire deep to above gutter deep, with some sections not passable to all vehicles), Roxas Heritage and Roxas Edsa intersections in Pasay City (gutter deep, passable), F. Ortigas cor Boni Ave. in Mandaluyong City (gutter deep, passable), and various sections of M.H. Del Pilar St. and Don Basilio Bautista Hulong Duhat in Malabon City (half gutter to gutter deep, passable). The City of Manila reported gutter-deep flooding on Roxas Pedro Gil service road and UN Ave. Taft, as well as Taft Avenue corner Quirino Avenue and Bocobo Robinsons - Remedios Circle. Valenzuela City reported surface water on MacArthur Highway. Information from local government units also indicates more severe flooding in specific barangays. In Quezon City, Barangay Doña Imelda reported waist-deep flooding (37 inches) in some areas, while other barangays experienced half-knee to gutter-deep water. The City of Manila reported gutter-deep flooding in several locations. Source: GMA News Philippines