Continuous rains brought by Typhoon Gaemi and the southwest monsoon caused flooding in the Philippine capital of Manila and many parts of Luzon Island on Wednesday.
The widespread floods, which were knee-high in some areas, forced residents near Manila Bay and rivers to evacuate, closed schools and offices, and canceled flights
In the densely populated capital, rescuers were deployed across the city to help evacuate people from low-lying homes after downpours on Wednesday turned streets into rivers, trapping vehicles.
People clutched flimsy umbrellas as they waded through thigh-deep murky water or moved around in small boats and shopping trolleys.
A state of calamity was declared for Manila, unlocking funds for relief efforts, after the state weather forecaster warned of “serious flooding” in some areas.
Government offices were shut, classes were suspended, at least 80 domestic and international flights were cancelled, and tens of thousands of customers lost power because of the weather.
Some shopping malls offered temporary shelter to people affected.
Typhoon Gaemi, which has swept past the Philippines as it heads towards Taiwan, intensified the southwest monsoon rains typical for this time of year, the state weather forecaster said.
More than 200 millimeters (nearly eight inches) of rain fell in the capital in the past 24 hours, Escullar said, which was “not unusual”.
More heavy rain is expected on Thursday.
Landslides killed a pregnant lady and three children in Batangas province, south of Manila, and closed three key routes in mountainous Benguet province, police and disaster officials said on Wednesday.
President Ferdinand Marcos directed disaster response personnel on Wednesday to provide sufficient food supplies for the most severely affected communities because “their situation is critical”.
Hardscrabble neighborhoods near Manila Bay were severely impacted, with most streets submerged and over 2,000 residents forced to flee their homes.
Every year, approximately 20 major storms and typhoons strike the Philippines or its surrounding waters, causing damage to homes and infrastructure and killing hundreds of people.
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