No classes in MM, nearby areas
With storm signal No. 1 raised in Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to Tropical Depression Maring, classes in all levels have been suspended today in affected areas.
As of last night, classes in both private and public schools were suspended in Metro Manila, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Tagaytay as well as in Antipolo, Binangonan, Cainta, Morong, Rodriguez, Tanay, Taytay and Teresa, all in Rizal. In Makati, classes were suspended up to high school.
In its 8 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised storm signal No. 1 in 12 areas, including Metro Manila, as Maring drew near.
As of 8 p.m., Maring was spotted at 255 kilometers east of Infanta with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 60 kph. It was forecast to move westnorthwest at 13 kph.
PAGASA placed Metro Manila, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, Northern Quezon including Polillo Island, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Quirino, Nueva Ecija. Tarlac and Aurora under storm signal No. 1.
The state weather bureau issued flood warnings in many parts of Luzon due to heavy rains spawned by Maring.
Yesterday, another tropical depression, Lannie (international name Talim), entered the Philippine area of responsibility.
But between the two cyclones, Maring could bring more rains over most parts of the country, which could trigger flashfloods and landslides, PAGASA warned.
Rene Paciente, PAGASA assistant weather services chief, said Maring is forecast to make landfall over the Quezon-Aurora area this afternoon.
It is expected to cross Northern and Central Luzon before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday afternoon.
Maring yesterday began dumping moderate to occasionally heavy rain over Metro Manila, Aurora, Bataan, Bicol, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Pangasinan and Zambales.
PAGASA was closely monitoring Magat Dam in Isabela, which was nearing its spilling level, hydrologist Elmer Caringal said.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the water level at Magat was at 187.6, just 2.40 meters below its spilling level.
Meanwhile, PAGASA administrator Vicente Malano said Lannie is not expected to hit the Philippines. It will instead make landfall in Taiwan.
As of 4 p.m., the eye of Lannie was located at 1,370 km east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph. It was projected to move westnorthwest at 28 kph.
Yesterday, four domestic flights were cancelled because of bad weather: Cebu Pacific flights 5J821 (Manila-Virac) and 5J822 (Virac-Manila) and Philippine Airlines Express Manila-Naga 2P2265 and return flight Naga-Manila 2P2266.