Newly completed portions of the Navotas flood protection infrastructure withstood a major trial as powerful waves driven by a typhoon-intensified monsoon battered the city’s coastline.

The southwest monsoon, locally known as the habagat, was strengthened by typhoon "Inday," sending large waves crashing against the seawall along Manila Bay.

Residents of the San Roque and Tangos neighborhoods witnessed the rough sea conditions, but local officials said the coastal barriers successfully minimized the impact of storm surges on nearby communities and protected fishing boats docked along the shore.

The weather disturbance highlighted the effectiveness of the city's integrated flood control system, according to authorities.

While the Mega Dike absorbed the force of the waves and storm surges, strategically located pumping stations along the coastal dike remained operational. The pumps helped drain floodwaters and mitigated flooding in nearby areas despite heavy rains.

The coastal dike has been a long-standing flagship flood mitigation project for Navotas, championed by Representative Toby Tiangco.

Local officials cited that the dike, combined with a network of pumping stations built over the years, has significantly reduced flooding caused by high tides and storm surges.

The system protects thousands of families and businesses in one of Metro Manila’s lowest-lying coastal cities.

As rising sea levels and stronger storms continue to challenge coastal areas, officials said the weekend weather served as a real-world validation of the city's defense system and its investments in climate-resilient infrastructure.

Meantime, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported that Typhoon Inday had exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of 11 a.m. Saturday.

However, the weather bureau warned that the enhanced monsoon would continue to generate rough seas across parts of Luzon