Typhoon Ondoy left Philippines with High Death Toll and Floods

Tropical storm Ondoy already left the Philippines since Sunday morning, but with a high death toll and highly flooded areas. According to National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reports, at least 52 were reported dead and 21 people missing. In Rizal province alone, 42 people were killed and many others are still missing.

In Manila, almost 80 percent were greatly affected which is around 12 million people. So far, more than 4,000 people had been rescued from their homes by helicopter and rubber boats. Adding the nearby provinces , more than 41,000 people are now in 92 evacuation centers. Power has been cut in most areas of Metro Manila to avoid people be electrocuted by fallen electrical lines while escaping the high floods.

National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that efforts of the civil defense will focus on the relief operation and rescuing people who are still trapped on roofs. He is also appealing to them to cooperate calmly and leave their homes. Otherwise, they will be forced by the military and the police since it will for their own safety. In addition, Teodoro advised stranded civilians to remain on the roof and wait for the rescuers to come.

As also announced by National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) this Sunday morning, classes on Monday will be suspended in the affected areas in Metro Manila and Rizal province which are still considered not passable for vehicles. Earlier, Commission on Higher Education (CHED)announced the classes for the tertiary level be suspended on Monday in National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) area.

According to PAGASA, Ondoy is only at Storm signal number one but it is the non-stop rain that caused the high floods surrounding Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It is the 15th tropical storm this year with only 95 kph which is not really strong.