Typhoon Nesat (Pedring) pummels the Philippines

Typhoon Nesat (referred to locally as Pedring) pummeled through the Philippines, stirring up intense flooding and eliminating power in Capital Manila and all throughout the country’s main island of Luzon; its effects have brought Metro Manila to an effective standstill. Typhoon Nesat hit ashore before dawn Tuesday in eastern provinces and headed inland just north of Manila with up to an inch of rain per hour, half that of Typhoon Ketsana or Ondoy two years ago, said government forecaster Samuel Duran.

Coincidentally, the flooding appeared a day after the country held a two-year commemoration of Typhoon Ketsana, which resulted in an estimate death toll of 500 casualties that mostly came from Manila two years ago.

The powerful typhoon Nesat struck the Philippines on Tuesday killing at least 16 people. It was noted that the waves were as tall as palm trees crashing over seawalls. Along downtown Manila’s historic bay walk, many cars and buses were thrashed and citizens fought through the floodwaters as waves dominated the seawalls, turning a six-lane highway into an enormous river. The harsh rainfall obscured the view of anyone on the streets as soldiers and police scrambled to safely evacuate thousands of people in low-laying areas, and the flood spilled into shanties, hospitals, hotels and even part of the seaside US Embassy Compound. Waters at the gates of the embassy compound reached chest-deep, and staff was told to stay home, spokeswoman Tina Malone said.

"It's flooded everywhere. We don't have a place to go for shelter. Even my motorcycle got filled with water," said motorist Ray Gonzales, one of thousands stranded by fast-rising floodwaters.

Luckily, residents and those located in the Manila suburb of Marikina acted more quickly this time to evacuate their homes as the water levels rose; 2000 people escaped the swelling river by gathering at an elementary school. Altogether, authorities ordered more than 100,000 people across the country to be sheltered from the storm.

Photo source: http://www.reuters.com

Article source: Typhoon rain floods Philippine Capital