MANILA, Philippines — With heavy rains continuing to threaten parts of Luzon, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has placed its crews on alert as severe weather raises the risk of power interruptions in areas across its franchise territory.
The move comes as the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, continues to bring rains to large parts of the country. PAGASA said monsoon rains are expected over several areas in Luzon, while Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas, may experience occasional rains.
For millions of households and businesses, the concern is familiar: Can the power grid withstand another round of heavy rains and flooding?
Recent Habagat Outages Show the Risk
The latest weather threat comes after a series of rain-related power disruptions earlier this month, underscoring how quickly severe weather can affect electricity service.
On August 9, Meralco reported that approximately 98,000 customers across Luzon experienced power interruptions amid heavy monsoon rains and severe flooding. The affected customers represented about 1% of the company’s customer base at the time.
By August 18, restoration efforts had significantly reduced the number of customers still without electricity. Reports said roughly 2,000 customers remained affected, with many of the remaining outages concentrated in parts of Cavite and Quezon after monsoon-driven rains disrupted power lines.
The recent incidents highlight a crucial reality during the rainy season: flooding, strong winds and damaged electrical infrastructure can trigger outages even when a tropical cyclone is not directly making landfall.
Meralco Prepares as Weather Conditions Remain Unsettled
Meralco’s decision to keep its response teams ready reflects the possibility that persistent rain and flooding could again disrupt electricity service.
PAGASA’s latest forecast said the Habagat is expected to bring rain over portions of Luzon and the Visayas, while an offshore low-pressure area was also being monitored east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas were forecast over Luzon.
For Meralco customers, the biggest concern will be whether intense rains lead to flooded communities, fallen branches or damaged power lines—conditions that can complicate both power restoration and emergency response.
What Customers Should Watch For
As the weather situation develops, consumers are advised to monitor official weather bulletins and Meralco advisories for updates affecting their areas.
Residents should also exercise caution around electrical facilities during flooding. Downed wires, damaged electrical equipment and submerged installations can pose serious hazards, particularly in areas experiencing rising floodwaters.
Customers experiencing an outage can check Meralco’s official outage-reporting and tracking services for updates on restoration efforts.
The Bigger Question: How Severe Will the Rains Get?
For now, Meralco crews are preparing for possible disruptions while weather authorities continue to monitor the Habagat and other weather systems affecting the country.
The recent experience of thousands of customers who lost electricity during earlier monsoon rains serves as a reminder that the next major disruption could depend on how much rain falls—and where it falls—in the hours ahead.
With the skies still unsettled, the question for consumers is no longer simply whether it will rain.
It’s whether the next round of heavy downpours will leave the lights on—or send another wave of communities into darkness.
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