Thunderstorms to persist today

MANILA, Philippines - Residents and commuters in Metro Manila and nearby areas should brace for heavy rains from thunderstorms until today, the state weather bureau warned yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there is a high probability of localized thunderstorms in the metropolis and adjacent provinces, especially in the afternoon or evening.

The warm weather during the day causes the formation of thunderstorm-producing cumulonimbus clouds, the weather bureau explained.

On Tuesday night, a three-hour heavy downpour inundated several areas in Metro Manila, causing traffic jams and stranding hundreds of thousands of commuters and motorists.

At the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City, the rainfall recorded between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday was 78.8 millimeters which, according to PAGASA weather forecaster Gladys Saludes, is classified as “torrential.”

Reports said knee- to waist-deep flood submerged portions of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 in Pasay City. 

The heavy rains, however, failed to replenish Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Angat supplies almost 98 percent of Metro Manila’s water demands.

As of yesterday morning, the water level at Angat was 187.44 meters, a little higher than the 187.21 meters recorded the other day.

Saludes said no tropical cyclone or low-pressure area was forecast to affect the country in the next five days.

She said beginning tomorrow, a weak southwest monsoon will bring light to moderate rains over Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila.

PAGASA officials earlier warned most parts of the country would start to experience “significant” reduction in rainfall this month due to the prevailing “strong” El Niño event.