PAGASA: LPA east of Baler now Tropical Depression Dodong

The low pressure area east of Baler, Aurora has developed into a tropical depression, which will be called Dodong.

According to PAGASA, the weather disturbance became a tropical depression at 8 p.m. on Thursday night.

In a weather advisory issued at 11 p.m., PAGASA said the southwest monsoon enhanced by Dodong may bring significant amount of rains in the next three days.

From Thursday night to Friday night, rainfall of 50 mm to 100 mm are expected over Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Romblon, the northern portion of Palawan, and Antique.

Rainfall of 100 mm to 200 mm are expected over Zambales and Bataan.

PAGASA warned that under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps, and in localities tat experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days.

PAGASA on Thursday afternoon said that the then LPA at 3 p.m. was estuimated on all available data at 90 kms northeast of Infanta, Quezon or 85 kms southeast of Baler, Aurora.

According to the public weather forecast issued at 4 p.m., the southwest monsoon also affected Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The LPA and the Habagat were expected to bring rains over Metro Manila, the Ilocos region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA. 

Rains induced by a low pressure area and the Habagat caused flooding and gridlock in several parts of Metro Manila on Thursday, leaving many motorists and commuters stranded on the road.

According to Cedric Castillo's report on "24 Oras," the downpour submerged the corner of Taft Avenue and United Nations Avenue in Manila making it impassable to light vehicles for a few hours.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-South Manila District Engineering Office said it usually takes two hours for the flood to subside in the area.

“Pero dati umaabot pa yan sa 6 to 10 hours. Nabubulunan talaga ang mga estero natin dahil sa basura,” said Mikunug Macud, DPWH engineer said.

A commuter who has an appointment with the Court of Appeals said that even if he has money to pay for a taxi, not one is available to give him a ride.

Another commuter said, "Mahihirapan din makauwi nito."

On Wednesday night, the flood along España Boulevard also caused heavy traffic, which took two hours to subside.

According to the DPWH-North Manila District Engineering Office, the ongoing  construction of a pumping station aggravated the flood.

Meanwhile, parts of Metro Manila also have also been experiencing rains since Wednesday such as Mandaluyong, San Juan, Navotas, Caloocan and Quezon City.

Due to the continuous rains, 10 domestic flights of AirSwift Airlines were  cancelled, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Other airlines have not yet released any announcement regarding cancellations.

MIAA also asked for understanding on the constant red lightning alerts that delay the release of passengers' luggage.  It said ground operations have to be temporarily halted for the safety of personnel. —NB, GMA Integrated News