Weather Woes

Heavy flooding inundated the Philippines' capital on July 22, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee, and schools and government offices to shut, while a fresh storm brewed off the coast.

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At least six people have died, and another six remain missing after Tropical Storm Wipha skirted the country on July 18, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Many neighbourhoods in Manila woke to find calf-deep pools of flood waters on July 22 after an overnight downpour swelled the Marikina River.

More than 23,000 people living along the riverbank were evacuated from their homes overnight, and moved to schools, village halls and covered courtyards.

About 47,000 more were evacuated from across the capital's Quezon, Pasig and Caloocan areas, as well as from the main government district.

"Usually, these people are from low-lying areas like beside creeks," said Mr Wilmer Tan, of the Marikina rescue office, who said the river reached 18m in height.