Dodong to bring heavy rains; Signal No. 1 up over north Luzon areas

Several provinces in the northern portion of Luzon are under Signal No. 1 after the low pressure area east of Baler developed into Tropical Depression Dodong on Thursday Night.

According to PAGASA's Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 1, Dodong is expected to bring heavy rainfall, with rains of 50 mm to 100 mm expected over Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the northern portion of Aurora, Benguet, La Union, and Pangasinan.

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

PAGASA said there would be minimal to minor impacts from strong winds (i.e., strong breeze to near gale strength) are possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is currently in effect.

These are: 

• Cagayan,
• Isabela,
• Quirino,
• Nueva Vizcaya,
• Apayao,
• Kalinga,
• Abra,
• Mountain Province,
• Ifugao,
• Benguet,
• Ilocos Norte,
• Ilocos Sur,
• La Union,
• the northern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, San Manuel, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Bolinao, Bani, City of Alaminos, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Agno, Binmaley, Dagupan City, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, Anda),
• the northern and central portions of Aurora (Maria Aurora, San Luis, Baler, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag),
• and the northern and eastern portions of Polillo Islands (Panukulan, Burdeos, Patnanungan, Jomalig)

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.

Metro Manila floods

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.

“Nag-iimbudo ang tubig papunta sa pumping station namin dahil sa basin na ginagawa namin sa Estero de Valencia. Pero ‘pag natapos na po ito, posibleng zero flooding na po ang Espana,” said DPWH engineer Denryl Cortuna.

"Our aim is by 2030, Metro Manila is flood free. We believe it's doable," Macud added.

Rains since Wednesday

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