Residents flee to
safety while a
man carries his
daughter amid
rising floodwaters.
safety while a
man carries his
daughter amid
rising floodwaters.
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Sea of hopelessness and desperation
50 killed as worst flooding in history sweeps Metro Manila
MANILA
Typhoon Ondoy triggered the worst floods in Metro Manila's history, turning the
city into a sea of desperation and hopelessness.
Rescue and relief efforts were continuing after tens of thousands of people
were stranded on rooftops, battled deadly currents in neck-deep waters and
clung on to anything that floats.
More than 50 people are confirmed dead and officials said the death toll could
rise as more information comes to hand.
MANILA
Typhoon Ondoy triggered the worst floods in Metro Manila's history, turning the
city into a sea of desperation and hopelessness.
Rescue and relief efforts were continuing after tens of thousands of people
were stranded on rooftops, battled deadly currents in neck-deep waters and
clung on to anything that floats.
More than 50 people are confirmed dead and officials said the death toll could
rise as more information comes to hand.
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People were
frantically calling
for help on their
mobile phones,
slowing
telephone
networks and
overwhelming
emergency
relief centers
frantically calling
for help on their
mobile phones,
slowing
telephone
networks and
overwhelming
emergency
relief centers
Ondoy began dumping rain on Metro Manila
on Saturday as it pummeled the eastern
part of Luzon.
Overnight it submerged the city of 10 million
in more than 13.43 inches of rain, the worst
on record, weather officials said.
It was almost equal to the average monthly
rainfall in Metro Manila. Until this disaster,
the worst flooding in Manila had occurred in
1967.
President Arroyo declared a state of calamity
in Metro Manila and 23 provinces.
on Saturday as it pummeled the eastern
part of Luzon.
Overnight it submerged the city of 10 million
in more than 13.43 inches of rain, the worst
on record, weather officials said.
It was almost equal to the average monthly
rainfall in Metro Manila. Until this disaster,
the worst flooding in Manila had occurred in
1967.
President Arroyo declared a state of calamity
in Metro Manila and 23 provinces.
As rescuers combed the city in boats, people were frantically calling for help
on their mobile phones, slowing telephone networks and overwhelming
emergency relief centers, officials and telecoms carriers said.
More rain is expected in the storm's aftermath as it churns towards the South
China Sea. It was expected to hit Taiwan make a landfall in Vietnam.
"I've not seen anything like it. it's as if the whole Metro Manila has become a
giant lake," said relief worker Anthony Obias." You could see the top of some
houses but you knew many more were completely under water."
A sense of hopelessness and desperation gripped residents of low-lying
areas as they woke up from a night of intense rain to find their streets
severely flooded and the waters breaking steadily into their homes.
"You thought of the safety of your children but after that you were lost and
basically didn't know what to do," said a distraught man, who battled rising
floodwaters and deadly currents to bring his family of six to safety.
Landslides in mountain areas made the evacuation doubly difficult and
virtually cut off emergency relief to their residents.
Hotels reported increased occupancies as families moved out of their
houses and people were prevented from getting home.
A mountain resort in Antipolo said entire families who had fled from the
flooding in Marikina and Antipolo had made it there before landslides cut all
access.
"I'm thankful that my family is safe. There's not much more you can say and
not much more you can do except pray," said a man who booked his family
into the resort after floodwaters claimed much of his house.
So sudden was the flooding they were only able to bring a few clothes. They
had lifted things inside the house off the floor, hoping the waters will spare
them, but to no avail.
on their mobile phones, slowing telephone networks and overwhelming
emergency relief centers, officials and telecoms carriers said.
More rain is expected in the storm's aftermath as it churns towards the South
China Sea. It was expected to hit Taiwan make a landfall in Vietnam.
"I've not seen anything like it. it's as if the whole Metro Manila has become a
giant lake," said relief worker Anthony Obias." You could see the top of some
houses but you knew many more were completely under water."
A sense of hopelessness and desperation gripped residents of low-lying
areas as they woke up from a night of intense rain to find their streets
severely flooded and the waters breaking steadily into their homes.
"You thought of the safety of your children but after that you were lost and
basically didn't know what to do," said a distraught man, who battled rising
floodwaters and deadly currents to bring his family of six to safety.
Landslides in mountain areas made the evacuation doubly difficult and
virtually cut off emergency relief to their residents.
Hotels reported increased occupancies as families moved out of their
houses and people were prevented from getting home.
A mountain resort in Antipolo said entire families who had fled from the
flooding in Marikina and Antipolo had made it there before landslides cut all
access.
"I'm thankful that my family is safe. There's not much more you can say and
not much more you can do except pray," said a man who booked his family
into the resort after floodwaters claimed much of his house.
So sudden was the flooding they were only able to bring a few clothes. They
had lifted things inside the house off the floor, hoping the waters will spare
them, but to no avail.
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