MMDA deploys flood teams in Metro Manila as 'habagat' rains near Ondoy level

Heavy rains driven by the southwest monsoon inundated Metro Manila on Monday (August 17, 2026), dumping 201.7 millimeters (mm) of rainfall in just five hours and triggering widespread flooding across the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to an advisory from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the deluge was recorded at the DOST-PAGASA Science Garden Station in Quezon City between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The torrential downpour peaked between noon and 2:00 p.m.—when 138 mm of rain fell in just two hours—causing water levels to surge rapidly along major thoroughfares.

The agency noted that the sheer intensity of the short-burst downpour echoed the heavy rainfall of Tropical Storm Ondoy in September 2009, which brought 455 mm of rain over a 24-hour period and caused historic flooding across the metropolis.

The MMDA deployed flood control teams to cleared clogged drainage systems and accelerate water recession, while emergency units assisted stranded motorists and residents.

 Operations centers continue to monitor major thoroughfares via CCTV to clear road crashes and manage rain-induced traffic bottlenecks.

Commuters and residents are advised to monitor real-time updates via the MMDA Facebook page or by dialing Hotline 136.

Flooding in different areas

As of 6:20 p.m. on August 17, severe flooding rendered several key corridors impassable across Manila, Quezon City, and Malabon:

Manila

Not Passable to All Vehicles: España Boulevard corner M. Dela Fuente Street (24 inches) and Rizal Avenue corner Pampanga Street (19 inches).

Not Passable to Light Vehicles: España Boulevard corner Antipolo Street (17 inches), Abad Santos Avenue corner Yuseco Street, and Rizal Avenue corner Bambang Street.

Quezon City

Not Passable to All Vehicles: A. Bonifacio Cloverleaf northbound and southbound (26 inches / tire-deep) and Araneta Avenue from Maria Clara to Florentino Street (tire-deep).

Not Passable to Light Vehicles: N.S. Amoranto Avenue (G. Araneta to Sto. Domingo), Quezon Avenue (Biak na Bato to D. Tuazon, and near Capitol Medical Center), Araneta corner E. Rodriguez Avenue (both bounds), and EDSA White Plains northbound.

Malabon City

Not Passable to Light Vehicles: Gov. Pascual Avenue (half knee-deep), F. Sevilla Boulevard, Barangay San Agustin, and C. Arellano Street in Barangay Ibaba.

The public is urged to monitor MMDA and other Philippine government sites for updates as the situation may change quickly.

-Paraluman News with Philippine News Agency