Security and custodial personnel of the University of Santo Tomas led in cleaning debris after the widespread flooding in Metro Manila brought on by the southwest monsoon or "habagat" rains on Thursday morning, July 25.

The Office of the Secretary-General (OSG) advised the suspension of classes and work until Saturday, July 27, to facilitate clearing and maintenance operations in the University.

Habagat was intensified by typhoon "Carina" or "Gaemi," which caused 461.4 millimeters of rain over 2 a.m. on Tuesday and 2 a.m. on Wednesday, toppling September 2009 tropical cyclone Ondoy with 455 mm, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's data recorded at the science garden in Quezon City.

Knee to waist-deep flood submerged buildings inside the University and its vicinity on Wednesday, July 24.

The Institute of Physical Education and Athletics rationed Tinapayan Festival breads and Eva's and Prime Plate food packs to student-athletes living inside the University due to the closure of food establishments in the car park and near concessionaires outside the University.

Students stranded in their dormitories in España, Lacson, Dapitan, and Padre Noval streets were supplied food packs through a truck by the Manila Department of Public Services during the night of July 24. The initiative was spearheaded by the OSG, the Office for Student Affairs, the Purchasing Office, the Communications Bureau, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and the Faculty of Arts and Letters.

However, around 11 p.m., the concerned offices and organizations reported that all food packs were exhausted. With this, an incoming fourth-year nursing student living on Lacson Avenue told TomasinoWeb they did not receive a ration.

The Department of Psychology's advocacy program, Thomasian Mental Health Responders, will re-open on July 26 for clients needing mental health assistance in light of the recent widespread flooding.

The UST Hospital suspended ambulatory care services on July 25 but will remain open for clinical consultations.

Progressive group Panday Sining UST, Faculty of Pharmacy Student Council, and UST Mountaineering Club organized donation drives for students, families, and support staff needing monetary and in-kind assistance. Here are the donation channels:

UST Mountaineering Club: GCash: Maria Amor Fejer - 09618015225 Maya: Maria Amor Fejer - 09618015225

Faculty of Pharmacy Student Council: GCash: 0927 910 5493 (Pauline Beatrice Jimenez) Maya: 0918 959 4358 (Raven Coleen Rivera)

Panday Sining UST: GCash: 09455752686

Metro Manila was declared in a state of calamity, and a price freeze for commodities was enforced, as mandated by Benhur Abalos, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government.

The weather bureau said tropical cyclone “Carina," now “Gaemi," left the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, crossing Taiwan with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) and 215 kph gusts.