Isang exits after days of heavy rains

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos can expect improved weather in most parts of the country starting today as severe Tropical Storm Isang (international name Hato) moved away from the Philippines yesterday.

Isang, the ninth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, dumped heavy rains in several parts of Luzon including Metro Manila in the past few days.

It exited the Philippine area of responsibility at 2 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The storm-enhanced southwest monsoon will still bring light to heavy rains today over Western Visayas and Luzon, particularly in the provinces of Bataan, Batangas, Cavite, Mindoro, Pangasinan and Zambales.

Residents in these areas were warned to watch out for possible landslides and flashfloods, and huge waves will occur in the western seaboards of Luzon.

PAGASA assistant weather forecaster Chris Perez said Luzon would have improved weather condition by tomorrow until the weekend.

Classes suspended

Except for Makati, all local government units in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces suspended classes in all levels yesterday due to expected heavy rains from the southwest monsoon.

Overnight heavy rains again submerged several streets in the metropolis, forcing local officials to cancel classes on all levels, both in public and private schools, early yesterday morning.

Classes in Cavite and some parts of Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Zambales were also suspended.

The state weather bureau lifted the heavy rainfall warning over Metro Manila before noon.

Cyclone signal lifted

PAGASA lifted all tropical cyclone signals raised over areas in Northern Luzon as Isang exited the country and moved toward Taiwan.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Isang was spotted at 395 kilometers west of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of 137 kph. It was forecast to move west-northwest at 25 kph.

Isang was expected to make landfall over southern Taiwan in the next 24 hours, Perez said. 

No new weather disturbance is expected to enter the country this week, the weather bureau said.  

Swept away

In Marikina, a Toyota Lite Ace van was swept away by the current after the river overflowed due to heavy rains.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said the water level rose to 16.1 meters at around 9:30 a.m., prompting them to warn residents in low-lying areas to prepare to evacuate.

Hours later, the water level dropped to 15.5 meters, paving the way for residents to resume their normal activities.

As of 2:30 p.m. yesterday, Teodoro said the van has yet to be recovered.

“Rainwater coming from the mountains of Antipolo and other municipalities of Rizal flowed to Marikina River, causing it to swell,” Teodoro said. 

Several areas in Manila, Caloocan and Quezon City were also submerged in floodwaters, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

MMDA officials blamed the flooding on clogged waterways, saying garbage choked and slowed down the operation of pumping stations in flood-prone areas. – With Janvic Mateo, Perseus Echeminada, Non Alquitran