Rains from Southwest Monsoon damage crops, trigger floods in Metro Manila, provinces

Rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon on Thursday triggered floods that inconvenienced commuters in and around Metro Manila, and damaged crops in the provinces.

The flood at the MacArthur Highway in Marilao, Bulacan brought distress to motorists at dawn, where some motorcycles fluttered, according to a Balitanghali report by Saleema Refran.

The North Luzon Expressway in Meycauayan, Bulacan went near-zero visibility due to the bad weather.

Students in Balagtas, Bulacan had to ride boats to get to school.

In Iba and Botolan, Zambales, tourists braved rough waves.

In Adams, Ilocos Norte, a bridge became impassable after it was swallowed by the river even as a landslide hit one of the town's roads.

In the province's Vintar town, vehicles had to be ferried on a rafts to cross the swollen river.

Rains were also experienced at the 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue in Caloocan City; Karuhatan, Valenzuela City; the EDSA-southbound in Quezon City; and the Ayala Avenue extension in Makati City.

Some passengers had difficulty commuting in Quezon City, while TNVS drivers had to endure the long lines to get their franchises at the LTFRB office at East Avenue.

Free rides, meanwhile, were offered for stranded students in Tanauan, Batangas.

Rice fields were also affected by rainfall in Negros Occidental.

The office of the provincial agriculturist said damage to the agriculture industry amounted to P4.2 million.

In Baguio City, the local government unit is urging motorists and residents to take precaution in landslide-prone areas due to incessant rains.

The Kennon Road which serves as an access road for motorists going to Baguio City has been temporarily closed, according to a separate Balitanghali report by JP Soriano.

Louie Glenn Lardizabal from the LDRRM office of Baguio City said the road was closed due to safety reasons as some of its areas might have higher chances of falling rocks due to rains.

The Marcos Highway and the Naguilian Road will, meanwhile, remain open for motorists.

No flood or landslide were reported despite light to moderate rains overnight.

Records from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR showed that as of May 28, at least 124 out of 129 barangays in Baguio City are highly-susceptible of landslide.

The level of water has also risen at the Burnham Park, an area also known to be flood-prone but is scheduled for rehabilitation. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News