Thousands pre-emptively evacuated, 27 areas flooded due to 'Isang', 'habagat'
Heavy rain causes flooding and traffic at the corner of Taft Avenue and United Nations Avenue in Manila on August 22, 2025. Pedestrians brave knee-deep floodwaters while some vehicles are stalled in the middle of the flooded road. (Mark Balmores/MANILA BULLETIN)
Tropical Cyclone “Isang” and the southwest monsoon brought heavy rains that resulted in the pre-emptive evacuation of more than 1,500 individuals and flooding in 27 areas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Saturday, Aug. 23.
A report from the NDRRMC showed 643 families composed of 1,512 persons in Brgy. Masarawag, Guinobatan, Albay were evacuated from their homes as a precautionary measure against possible lahar flows and flooding.
Masarawag, located near the foot of Mayon Volcano, remains highly vulnerable to rain-induced hazards, making early evacuation vital to ensure the safety of the community, the NDRRMC explained.
The sudden downpour on Friday inundated 16 barangays in Manila, six in Pasay City, four in Makati City, and one in Parañaque City. This also caused class and work suspensions in 115 cities and municipalities.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said it would continue developments until next week while maintaining a “Blue Alert” status even if Isang has already left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Habagat is still expected to bring rain in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“We will continue with our work and remain on blue alert. We intend to remain vigilant from now until Monday. However, we hope the weather will get better before then and that there will be no need to raise the alert status to Red,” OCD Officer-in-Charge Asst. Sec. Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV said.
Relief goods were already prepositioned and other preparations were being undertaken should the situation turn more serious, he noted.