Yellow rainfall alert over MM; heavy downpour still expected

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm "Maring" has maintained its strength and remained almost stationary for the past six hours, the state weather bureau said Monday.

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said Maring was spotted at 575 km East of Itbayat, Batanes. It is packed with maximum winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of 90 kph.

Maring is forecast to move East Northeast at 7 kph and will be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday morning.

The tropical storm will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms over Luzon particularly over the Western section.

PAGASA has downgraded the rainfall warning level over Metro Manila from orange to yellow after "weaker" rainfall amount has been observed before Monday noon.

The state weather bureau, however, warned that moderate to heavy rainfall is still affecting ‪‎Metro Manila‬ and the provinces of Zambales‬, ‪‎Bataan‬, ‪Pampanga‬, ‪Rizal‬, ‪Tarlac‬, ‪‎NuevaEcija‬, ‪‎Bulacan‬ and ‪‎Quezon‬ and could continue for the next three hours.

Meanwhile, heavy to intense rainfall is still affecting ‪‎Cavite‬, ‪‎Laguna‬, ‪‎Batangas‬ and ‪‎Occidental Mindoro‬ and could continue for the next three hours.

"Flooding [is expected] in low-lying areas," the agency said.

According to the NDRRMC, the effects of the storm-enhanced Habagat has affected a total of 18,354 families in 16 provinces.

At least one person has been reported dead, nine were injured, while three remain missing.

The agency said the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal are under close monitoring due to the severe flooding caused by the incessant rains.