Heavy monsoon rains flood parts of Metro Manila over the weekend

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 10, 2026

Photo courtesy: PNA
Heavy habagat rains flooded several parts of Metro Manila over the weekend, disrupting transit and forcing hundreds of families to evacuate.

Manila — Continuous rainfall from an enhanced southwest monsoon left large sections of Metro Manila underwater over the weekend, disrupting commutes, damaging homes, and forcing evacuations in several cities.

Metro Manila and 23 provinces experienced significant rainfall from the southwest monsoon on Saturday, August 8, a weather pattern that PAGASA attributed to Typhoon Dolphin, which remained outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility but continued to strengthen the monsoon’s rain-bearing effect over Luzon.

Flooding was heaviest in the southern part of the metro, where floodwater in some low-lying communities rose above head-height, submerging homes and trapping residents. Neighbors in several areas organized their own rescues using ropes and boats to reach those stranded, while volunteers ran additional rescue operations and offered free rides to displaced commuters. Local governments moved hundreds of families into evacuation centers as a precaution against continued flooding in their neighborhoods.

Major roads across several cities became impassable to light vehicles as floodwater reached knee to waist depth in some stretches, stalling motorcycles and slowing traffic throughout the metro. Strong winds also toppled trees in a number of areas, blocking roads until clearing crews could remove the debris.

Rail commuters were also affected. Passengers at one train station were forced to wade through floodwater near the entrance, and overnight train operations were briefly suspended after a fallen tree branch struck the tracks, prompting a temporary halt in service while crews carried out clearing work.

Several communities pointed to overflowing creeks, clogged waterways, and malfunctioning drainage or pumping systems as recurring causes of the flooding, with some residents appealing for long-term solutions to what they describe as an annual problem.

Amid the bad weather, a number of shopping malls in Metro Manila opened their premises to the public as temporary shelter, offering free overnight parking along with waiting areas, restrooms, charging stations, and free Wi-Fi in select locations.

Authorities continued to warn against wading through floodwater, particularly in areas with strong currents or high water levels, and urged the public to stay alert for updates as more rain is expected in the coming days from the habagat and other weather systems affecting the region.