22/08/2026
๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐ || ๐๐ข๐ก๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ข๐๐ช๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฆ
๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ; ๐๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
As a result of the persistent southwest monsoon, citizens from around Marikina waded through intense rainfallโa total of 11,051 individuals were displaced, and several roads flooded over knee-deep.
The southwest monsoon or habagat refers to the warm and humid winds that originate from the southwest oceans and collect a significant amount of moisture, causing unstable atmospheric conditions, heavy rainfall, and stronger but fewer typhoons.
This is combined with Marikina being prone to flooding, as it sits at the heart of a low-lying valley, surrounded by the mountain ranges of San Mateo and the municipality of Caintaโserving as a โcatch basinโ for downpour, as water from higher levels flow downwards into the city.
On August 9, the Marikina Public Information Office recorded a Marikina River water level of 17.5 meters, the peak during this habagat season.
As per the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, in five hours, Habagat dumped rainfall equal to 201.7 millimeters (mm) on August 17, comparable to Tropical Storm (TS) Ondoy of 455 mm in 24 hours.
TS Ondoy was a catastrophic cyclone which flooded 14 out of 16 barangays in Marikina, where the water level shot up to 21.5 meters on September 26, 2009.
Moreover, red rainfall warnings were hoisted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Association - National Capital Region on August 8, 9, and 17, which warns of severe and widespread flooding with risks of landslides and impassable roads.
Due to the rainfall, only six days of onsite classes were held, with two of them being suspended at noon, from the start of the month to August 20.
According to Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro, flood mitigation infrastructure, early warning systems, and cooperation with the local government and citizens has greatly helped in reducing flooding, as minor flooding only ensued after the Marikina River peaked at 17.5 meters.
Jameelah Ygonia, a Grade 7 student, shared her experience of deep flooding and blockages in her area, โDue to the heavy rainfall this Habagat season, we experienced heavy flooding in our area. Some people were even stranded due to no transportation. To ensure we were safe, we did not go out of our house unless needed. We also watched the weather forecast to be informed.โ
With heavy floods remaining prevalent, the Department of Health issued warnings about the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira bacteria usually spread by urine of infected animalsโmost commonly ratsโin contaminated waters.
As the local government continues to send regular weather and river level updates while holding trash flushing and clearing operations, they also continue to distribute food, vitamins, and anti-leptospirosis medications to evacuees.
