Philippines: Rains And Flooding Paralyzes Manila
By MISNA
Flood waters caused by heavy torrential rains forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in Manila and other nine provinces of the Luzon area, including Bulacan and Bataan.
According to the Inquirer, half of the city – inhabited by 16-million – is paralyzed, with schools and offices closed.
Typhoon Saola hit the northern regions last week, leaving some 50 dead, since triggering heavy rains on the capital. The most difficult situation is in the slums, though throughout the city people are affected.
Traffic is also completely blocked due to the flooding and mud on the roads.
President Benigno Aquino declared a state of maximum alert, assuring that the civil defence forces have been mobilized to assist those affected by the flooding. Meteorologists do not expect the weather to improve over the next 48 hours and the water levels of the rivers in the capital have reached emergency levels.
