Typhoon Karina Makes Landfall in Manila
Typhoon Karina struck Metro Manila on September 19, 2026, with sustained winds of 150 km/h during peak monsoon season, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surge to the Philippine capital and surrounding provinces.
Typhoon Karina made landfall near Manila, Philippines on September 19, 2026, during the height of the southwest monsoon season. The tropical cyclone brought sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour with higher gusts, torrential rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters in some areas, and storm surge up to 2 meters along coastal communities. Metro Manila and adjacent provinces experienced widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and transportation disruptions. The typhoon's timing during peak monsoon amplified rainfall totals and flood risks across Luzon. Emergency services conducted extensive evacuations from low-lying areas, while government agencies activated disaster response protocols. The event highlighted Metro Manila's vulnerability to tropical cyclones during the monsoon transition period.
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Timeline
- 00:00 LocalTyphoon Karina located 200 km east of Manila, moving west-northwest at 20 km/h
- 03:00 LocalPAGASA raises Signal No. 4 for Metro Manila and adjacent provinces
- 06:00 LocalOuter rainbands begin affecting Metro Manila with gusty winds and rain
- 08:00 LocalGovernment declares suspension of work and classes across Metro Manila
- 09:30 LocalSustained winds reach 100 km/h in Manila, rainfall intensifying
- 11:45 LocalTyphoon Karina makes landfall near Manila Bay with 150 km/h winds
- 12:00 LocalStorm surge of 1.5-2 meters reported along coastal barangays
- 13:30 LocalPasig River water levels rising rapidly, flooding alerts issued
- 14:00 LocalPeak winds of 185 km/h recorded, widespread power outages begin
- 15:45 LocalMultiple major roads impassable due to flooding up to 1 meter deep
- 17:00 LocalEyewall moves across Metro Manila bringing most intense conditions
- 19:30 LocalRainfall totals exceed 250 mm in several monitoring stations
- 21:00 LocalTyphoon center moves inland, winds beginning to decrease
- 23:00 LocalContinued heavy rainfall as monsoon flow enhanced by typhoon circulation
- 23:59 LocalEmergency operations ongoing, damage assessment beginning
Impacts
Extensive evacuations from coastal barangays and flood-prone areas. Temporary displacement of residents from low-lying communities. Disruption to daily life across Metro Manila with suspended work and classes. Emergency shelters activated across multiple cities.
Widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers. Damage to residential structures, particularly informal settlements. Flooding of major thoroughfares and underpasses. Strain on drainage systems and flood control infrastructure. Communication network disruptions.
Suspension of all domestic and international flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Closure of major expressways due to flooding. Suspension of Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit operations. Port operations halted with vessels seeking shelter. Jeepneys and buses unable to operate on flooded roads.
Damage to rice crops in surrounding provinces during critical growing season. Flooding of fishponds and aquaculture facilities. Losses to vegetable farms in peri-urban areas. Soil erosion in agricultural regions.
Business closures across Metro Manila for multiple days. Supply chain disruptions affecting markets and commerce. Tourism sector impacts with canceled bookings. Financial losses from damaged inventory and equipment. Significant costs for emergency response and recovery operations.
Beach erosion along Manila Bay coastline. Saltwater intrusion into coastal freshwater systems. Urban flooding leading to water quality concerns. Debris accumulation in waterways. Landslides in elevated areas of surrounding provinces.
Facts
- Typhoon Karina made landfall with sustained winds of 150 km/h and gusts reaching 185 km/h
- Rainfall totals exceeded 320 mm in parts of Metro Manila within 24 hours
- Storm surge reached heights of 2 meters along exposed coastal areas of Manila Bay
- The typhoon struck during the southwest monsoon season, amplifying rainfall amounts
- Central atmospheric pressure dropped to 965 hectopascals at landfall
- Multiple cities in Metro Manila experienced widespread flooding affecting thousands of homes
- The typhoon affected a metropolitan area of over 13 million people
- Emergency evacuation centers accommodated tens of thousands of displaced residents
- PAGASA issued its highest tropical cyclone warning signal (Signal No. 4) for the region
- The event occurred during the peak of the Philippine typhoon season
- September represents one of the most active months for tropical cyclones in the Philippines
- The typhoon's track brought the most dangerous quadrant directly over the capital
- Flood control systems were tested by the combination of storm surge and riverine flooding
- The Philippines experiences an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually
- Metro Manila's elevation averaging only 16 meters increases vulnerability to storm surge
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