World News
Torrential rains flood Philippine capital; 270,000 flee to safety
Published: August 7, 2012
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Flooding caused by days of torrential rains forced more than a quarter million people from their homes in parts of the Philippine capital and surrounding provinces. The government said at least 50 percent of metropolitan Manila was under water, displacing an estimated 270,000 people, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News. The deep water blocked roads, stranded motorists and flooded homes. Water was up to 9 feet deep in some neighborhoods and was waist deep throughout much of the city center, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Aug. 7 that at least 53 people had died since the onset of the rains July 28. Five other were reported missing and 35 were injured. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration declared a red alert late Aug. 6 after dams and rivers near the capital overflowed. Authorities shut off electrical power to much of the city.
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