Manila: Rain that poured over an extended period as a result of a low pressure weather system placed many areas in Metro Manila under water as flights and classes were suspended.

Traffic was snarled as moderate to rainfall fell around dawn, continuing for at least six hours and flooding parts of the metropolis as storm drain systems were overwhelmed by the rain

Reports said there was heavy flooding in parts of Paranaque, Quezon City as well as Valenzuela, Malabon and Navotas cities.

In the village of Ugong in Valenzuela City in the northwestern portion of the metropolis, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that two people died and two others were injured after a brick wall collapsed on them.

Proceso Domingo, officer in charge of the NDRRMC, said nine-year-old Christian Serrano and Rodel Pugoy Sr lie buried under debris after rain loosened the soil beneath the brick wall where their house stood, causing the edifice to collapse.

Aside from Serrano and Pugoy, Rodel Pugoy Jr 2 and Rihyer Pugoy were injured in the mishap.

According to the the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) weather bureau, a low pressure area hovering over the southern Luzon province of Batangas, had caused continuous rains dumping 7.5 to 15 millimetres of rain per hour.

In comparison, typhoon Ketsana (Philippine codename: Ondoy) which visited the country on September 25, 2009 delivered 40mm of rain per hour over a six-hour period.

Aside from Metro Manila, other parts of the northern main island of Luzon affected by the weather disturbance include Central and Southern Luzon as well as Western Visayas.

The continues heavy rain also caused Ipo Dam in Norsagaray in Bulacan to overflow and La Mesa Dam north of Metro Manila to reach danger level.

Domingo said that the presence of the weather system also prompted the cancellation of at least six domestic flights originating from Manila as classes from nursery up to college level were suspended.

Small seacraft have also been barred from leaving port.

A statement issued by the presidential palace said that President Benigno Aquino is monitoring the situation.

“The President is being constantly updated by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and PAGASA on the weather situation as well as what we have been doing to address several flooded areas in the metro,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte also announced that the Department of Science and Technology launched Project NOAH in cooperation with several other agencies intended to mitigate or prevent disasters. NOAH stands for the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards.

“Primarily this was launched to make sure that we have a responsive disaster management and disaster prevention, and mitigation efforts as well, to make sure that another Ondoy does not happen,” Valte said.