Metro Manila gets 44% of Ondoy’s rainfall in just 5 hours
Metro Manila experienced extreme flooding after receiving 44% of the rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Ondoy in just five hours. Authorities are working to clear drainage systems as the region remains under a yellow rainfall warning due to the ongoing southwest monsoon.
Why it matters
Rapid, intense rainfall events in urban centers highlight the increasing vulnerability of infrastructure to climate-related weather extremes.
MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila absorbed 201.7 millimeters of rain in just five hours Monday, flooding roads and pushing water into areas some residents described as rarely inundated, while another round of habagat rain keeps the capital under flood threat Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, citing PAGASA's Science Garden station in Quezon City, said the rainfall was recorded from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 17.
More than two-thirds of the five-hour total, or 138 mm, fell within just two hours from noon to 2 p.m.
The concentrated downpour caused water levels to rise rapidly and flooded several roads across Metro Manila, the MMDA said.
For comparison, Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped 455 mm of rain over 24 hours in 2009. Monday's five-hour rainfall total was equivalent to about 44% of that amount.
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