'Habagat' rainfall amount this month higher than 2013, Ondoy

MANILA, Philippines - Rains dumped by the "Habagat" (southwest monsoon) this month over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon since Sunday has surpassed the amount of rainfall amount of Typhoon Ondoy and the southwest monsoon in 2012.

Mahar Lagmay, executive director of Project Noah, said on his Twitter account that the rainfall amount for August 18 (Sunday) using the Doppler Radar was 600 millimeters in 24 hours.

Rainfall accumulation for 18 August 2013 derived by Filipino Scientist, Irene Crisologo, using Doppler radar. pic.twitter.com/zljnCbFtYb

— Mahar Lagmay (@nababaha) August 19, 2013

The same amount of rainfall was dumped by the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon on August 19 (Monday).

Rainfall accumulation (11 hrs) for 19 Aug. 2013, derived using Doppler Radar by Filipino Scientist, Irene Crisologo. pic.twitter.com/c4ek6NCOwJ

— Mahar Lagmay (@nababaha) August 19, 2013

Based on data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Ondoy dumped only 455 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours in 2009 and the habagat in August 2012 dumped only around 472 millimeters of rainfall.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday night reported that a total of 31,372 families or 146,444 persons in Metro Manila, Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa have been displaced by the floods caused by non-stop torrential rains since Sunday.

The worst flooding recorded was in Laguna, particularly in the villages of Macabiling Looc and Tila in Sta. Rosa, which both went under six to seven feet deep floodwaters.

Also hit hard by flooding were at least eight towns in Cavite province. All villages in Noveleta town went under waist- to neck-deep floods.

At least three people have also been confirmed killed and four more were reported missing.

The Palace was has been forced to extend the suspension of work in government offices on Tuesday due to continuous torrential rains over Metro Manila.

Classes in all levels in the capital region and other parts of Luzon have also been suspended.