Manila, October 31: A powerful typhoon crashed into the Philippine capital on Saturday with pounding rain and strong winds, causing a massive power outage, downing trees and bringing fresh floods to areas still partially submerged from a recent deadly storm.
More than 100,000 people sought shelter in five province east and south of Manila in the path of Typhoon Mirinae on the main Luzon Island.
One river in Laguna province south of Manila overflowed, flooding most of lakeside Santa Cruz town and sending residents clambering onto roofs to escape rising waters, said Mayor Ariel Magcalas.
“We cannot move, this is no joke,” Magcalas said. “The water is high. We need help,” he said in a public address via Radio DZBB.
Rescue teams were dispatched to the flooded communities but were having difficulty moving in light trucks, said regional disaster officer Fred Bragas. “As of now, our efforts are concentrated on rescue and evacuation,” he said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties. In Manila, residents hunkered down in their homes overnight as rains beat down on dark, deserted streets.
Mirinae passed south of the sprawling city of 12 million with winds of 150 kilometres per hour and gusts of up to 185 kph.
–PTI