MANILA, Philippines — Relentless rains from the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, battered large portions of Luzon on Saturday, August 29, triggering floods, evacuations, landslides, impassable highways and the collapse of part of a major bridge — while weather officials warned that another round of heavy rainfall could continue through the long weekend.
From Pangasinan and Central Luzon to Metro Manila, communities already saturated by days of rain were again confronted by rising rivers and rapidly accumulating floodwaters.
And according to PAGASA’s latest rainfall outlook, the threat is far from finished.
The weather bureau said 100 to 200 millimeters of rain could fall from Saturday through Sunday noon over Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga. Another 50 to 100 millimeters was forecast across a wider area that includes Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and several northern Luzon provinces. PAGASA warned that rainfall totals could be even greater in mountainous areas and that previously saturated ground could worsen flooding and landslide risks.
Pangasinan communities evacuate as rivers rise
Pangasinan was among the provinces facing serious flooding.
GMA News reported that roads in Dagupan City were submerged, with authorities saying continuous rainfall combined with a high tide of more than three feet contributed to worsening conditions.
In Agno, families in flood-prone communities evacuated after warnings from local disaster officials. By 10:26 a.m., the road toward Cayungnan was already completely submerged and considered impassable to all vehicles.
Residents also evacuated in parts of Aguilar, while videos from Barangay Bongalon in Labrador showed floodwaters resembling a fast-moving river covering the roadway and entering homes.
In Calasiao, some residents in Barangay Talibaew resorted to makeshift rafts as water continued rising. Authorities reported that the Marusay River had exceeded its critical level, prompting continued monitoring of vulnerable communities.
The danger was not limited to flooding. A landslide along the Macaboboni-Abagatanen Road in Agno temporarily blocked passage, adding another hazard for residents and motorists.
Central Luzon roads disappear beneath floodwater
Conditions deteriorated across several Central Luzon provinces.
In San Fernando City, Pampanga, Capitol Boulevard in Lelut Baculut became impassable to light vehicles as waters continued to rise.
In Balanga, Bataan, flooding ranged from ankle-deep in some areas to reports of chest-level water near an overflowing river.
Meanwhile, portions of MacArthur Highway in Marilao and Meycauayan, Bulacan were inundated. Some commuters hitched rides aboard trucks, while others were forced to walk through floodwater reaching from thigh to waist level.
Aquino Bridge partially collapses in Tarlac
One of Saturday’s most serious infrastructure incidents occurred in Tarlac City, where a section of the Aquino Bridge collapsed shortly before midnight Friday.
The bridge connects Tarlac City with several municipalities including Sta. Ignacia, Mayantoc, Camiling and San Clemente, while also providing access toward Mangatarem, Pangasinan.
GMA reported that Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the site and that roughly 60 meters of the bridge had collapsed. The Department of Public Works and Highways attributed the failure to strong river currents striking the bridge foundation during the Habagat rains.
INQUIRER.net separately reported that authorities redirected motorists toward the Agana Bridge, while trucks and heavy equipment were prohibited from using the alternate crossing to reduce the risk of further infrastructure damage.
La Mesa Dam goes beyond overflow level
The situation became more concerning in Metro Manila after La Mesa Dam in Quezon City exceeded its overflow elevation Saturday afternoon.
According to PAGASA data reported by the Philippine News Agency, the reservoir reached 80.22 meters as of 2 p.m., exceeding its 80.15-meter overflow elevation.
Excess water flows directly toward the Tullahan River, potentially affecting communities in Quezon City as well as portions of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.
Residents near riverbanks and other low-lying areas were advised to take precautions, with PAGASA warning that continued rainfall over the watershed could push river levels even higher.
The Quezon City government specifically warned communities including Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria and San Bartolome to prepare for possible evacuation as necessary.
Olongapo orders preemptive evacuation
Heavy rains had already caused serious problems in Olongapo City beginning Friday.
INQUIRER.net reported widespread flooding and soil erosion, with the city’s disaster office ordering the preemptive evacuation of residents in Barangay Sta. Rita as the Sta. Rita River rose.
The river later overflowed, flooding portions of West Bajac Bajac, East Bajac Bajac, Kalaklan and Sta. Rita. Several roads inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone also became impassable to light vehicles, while another roadway was closed to all traffic. No injuries were reported in connection with the soil erosion incidents cited in the report.
Why the rains could continue
PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon remains the dominant weather system affecting Luzon.
A low-pressure area located northeast of Batanes early Saturday was also being monitored. The weather bureau said Habagat would continue producing monsoon rains over western and northern Luzon, with flash floods and landslides possible during heavy to intense rainfall.
PAGASA’s weekend outlook also indicated that the weather disturbance could continue enhancing the Habagat through Sunday and into the beginning of the following week, even if direct landfall by a tropical cyclone remains unlikely.
That means communities that have already flooded once cannot assume the danger has passed simply because water temporarily recedes.
With rivers elevated, reservoirs full and soil already saturated, additional rainfall can produce flooding more quickly than it would under normal conditions.
Residents in affected areas are being urged to closely follow PAGASA rainfall warnings and instructions from local disaster officials, particularly when preemptive evacuation is ordered.
For Luzon, Saturday’s widespread flooding may therefore be less the end of the latest Habagat episode than another warning of what could happen if the rain keeps falling through the remainder of the long weekend.
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