Floodwaters and continuous heavy rains brought by typhoon “Karina” put Metro Manila and nearly half of Luzon at a standstill as people stayed home either monitoring the dangers that came with the weather disturbance.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a red rainfall warning over the National Capital Region, Rizal, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan on Wednesday (July 24) as Carina unleashed heavy rains in over 30 hours since July 23.

The red warning is raised when most intense and dangerous rainfall is expected.

Pagasa explained that the warning signal in the red category usually brings 30 millimeters or more of rains within an hour.

Pagasa Administrator Nathaniel Servando said the red rainfall warning will also prompt government authorities to carry out emergency measures to save lives and property. Among these are preemptive and mandatory evacuation of people in flood-prone areas.

Local government units in Metro Manila have started preparing evacuation centers and have actually started transferring evacuees to safer grounds.

Among the localities already experiencing floods are Quezon City, Marikina City, Parañaque City, Taguig, Pasig City, Pateros, Valenzuela, Manila and Navotas.

Early Wednesday morning, Malacañang suspended work in government agencies. The Supreme Court, Senate and the House of Representatives also made the same declarations.

Classes were suspended in all public and private schools while the Department of Labor also issued an advisory declaring work suspension in private firms, as well.

Carina intensified further as it headed for the exit towards Taiwan. However, the monsoon rains or habagat that came with it continues to dump rains in affected areas in Luzon.