MANILA, Sept. 1 -- Thunderstorms caused the phenomenal rainfall in Quezon City on Aug. 30, not the southwest monsoon (habagat), the weather bureau said Monday.

"It was due to a thunderstorm because the rain was limited to Quezon City and some surrounding areas like Marikina," Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Administrator Nathaniel Servando told the Philippine News Agency.

Severe thunderstorm affected the northern portion of Metro Manila between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday.

PAGASA's Science Garden Station in Quezon City recorded 132.2 millimeters (mm) of rainfall, equivalent to almost a week's worth of rain based on the monthly average of 568.5 mm.

The volume surpassed the rainfall pro...