Manila, Philippines – Torrential rains and widespread flooding brought the Philippine capital to a standstill on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of thousands and compounding the devastation left by Typhoon Wipha, which battered northern parts of the country last week.
More than 23,000 residents of Quezon City—one of the largest cities in Metro Manila—sought refuge in evacuation centers, according to Bianca Perez, spokesperson for the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Rising floodwaters inundated homes and swamped major roads, triggering a citywide emergency response.
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The La Mesa Dam, which supplies water to Manila and nearby areas, exceeded capacity and overflowed, worsening flooding across the metropolis, especially in Quezon City.
In response, the Malacañang Palace suspended all classes and non-essential government work in Metro Manila, Zambales, Pampanga, and other northern regions.
The Civil Aviation Authority also confirmed that at least a dozen domestic flights were cancelled due to the weather, stranding travelers across the country.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that at least six people have died and six remain missing, due to the combined effects of Typhoon Wipha—locally named Crising—and seasonal monsoon rains.
The Philippines, which sees an average of 20 typhoons annually, is still recovering from last year’s streak of six tropical storms in under a month, which killed 164 people and caused nearly $500,000 in damages, displacing over 650,000 people.
Authorities are closely monitoring two new low-pressure areas in the Philippine Sea, with at least one system likely to develop into a cyclone within the next 24 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As rain continues to batter the country, officials urge residents in flood-prone and landslide-risk zones to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders.
SOURCE : AGENCIES VIA EFE. | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |
