Strong rain has caused huge floods in many parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the Luzon Island of the Philippines. Metro Manila, the country’s main urban center, is composed of 17 cities and municipalities. School classes and work in both the public and private sectors have been suspended already by the government.

The photos below, mainly from Facebook and Twitter, show the extent of the flooding in the metropolis and the situation could still worsen because the rains have not stopped as of this writing.

Strong rain in Metro Manila and nine other provinces. Photo from Philippine government Facebook page.

Another map showing the areas affected by rains and floods. Photo from Facebook page of Nadja De Vera.

Dark clouds hover above downtown Manila. Photo from Facebook page of Lorrelyn Ocampo.

Flood in Asia's oldest Catholic university. Photo from Facebook page of Dexter Aquitania Austria.

Flood in Marikina City. Photo from Facebook page of Dave LLavanes Jr.

Photo of flooding in Marikina, showing street lights. Photo from Facebook page of Chris Velasco.

River overflowing in Montalban, Rizal located east of Manila. Photo from Facebook page of Maria Fema Duterte.

Flood in Morayta near the country's university zone. Photo from Facebook page of AiRon Sulit.

Flooding in San Juan City. Photo from Twitter page of @michelleorosa.

Flooding in Ayala Underpass located in the country's central business district. Photo from Facebook page of Joel Garzota Vmobile.

Flood in Bacoor, Cavite located south of Manila. Photo from Facebook page of ASAP XV.

Flood in Bocaue, Bulacan located north of Manila. Photo from Facebook page of Almond Andres.

The government has released a list of flooded areas in Metro Manila. Another list shows the roads which are still heavily flooded. Media groups have also compiled a list of evacuation centers and relief operations in the metropolis.

Twitter users are using the hashtags #rescueph and #prayforthephilippines to monitor the situation. Below is a tweet reminder for media reporters who are covering the unfolding disaster

@katray: Media friends, we appreciate the work. I wish journalists are waterproof. But as they are not, I hope for their safety. Take care, folks. ;)

Carl Ramota is disappointed with the delayed response of the president:

Dear Aquino government, you should have done the briefing last night or early this morning. We don't want to see you in your raincoats or jacket in a conference room, talking about the things that we already know or are now experiencing. Board amphibian vessels and do an ocular inspection of flooded areas. Go to evacuation centers and distribute relief goods. Do something! Don't just sit there and talk! Heads must roll.

Carlo Ople notes the role of new media in spreading awareness about the flooding:

As soon as the floods spread people started taking photos and uploading it on Facebook and Twitter. Their network started sharing and the network of their network shared as well until the photos became viral. The photos showed how bad the situation was.