Today's Edition
(BLOOMBERG)
Philippine authorities suspended government work and classes in the capital region and dozens of provinces for a third day on Wednesday, warning of continued strong rains that killed at least six people and forced thousands in flooded areas to evacuate.
Monsoon rains and a tropical storm have combined to pour the equivalent of a month's worth of rain in just four days, Manila's weather bureau said Tuesday, submerging many cities and displacing more than 82,000 individuals.
The suspension covers the capital region, home to at least 14 million people, and 36 provinces, most of them in the main Luzon island, the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a circular.
The southwest monsoon “will bring moderate to intense rains” in the next few days in northern and central Philippines, the interior ministry said in a statement.
“Flooding is expected in areas that are urbanized, low-lying and near rivers. Landslides may also occur in moderate to highly susceptible areas,” it said, adding that forced evacuation has started in some areas.
The weather bureau said it expects “widespread incidents of severe flooding” with landslides through Friday, with three low pressure areas east of the country likely to become tropical cyclones this week.
The adverse weather had caused about 1.2 billion pesos ($21 million) in damage to both agriculture and infrastructure, according to the government.
Government offices and schools were shut from Monday afternoon amid the heavy downpour. Financial markets were open.
Marcos, who is in Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump, ordered government agencies to focus on flood response and relief operations, his office said in a statement. Some 118,000 households were without power, Joe Zaldarriaga, head of corporate communications at Manila Electric Co., told DZMM radio. Some 30 flights were cancelled, authorities said.
