Typhoon Nesat

Authorities are racing to help thousands of people stranded in flooded villages on the outskirts of the capital of Manila and repair damaged infrastructure before more bad weather strikes. Many towns in the northern Philippines have become isolated by landslides that closed roads to traffic.

Nearly 53,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as the typhoon's heavy rains triggered floods and landslides, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). More than a million people remained without power Wednesday in Luzon, including some areas in Manila and seven outlying provinces, according to OCD chief Benito Ramos. Local government officials have ordered the immediate repair of collapsed portions of the Manila Bay seawall, which worsened flooding in the capital.

Severe damage

In Manila, authorities are focusing on getting power and telecommunications services in order. Work crews have been sent out to repair and clear several road networks across Luzon.

Nesat slammed into the northeastern Philippines on Tuesday with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 170 kilometers per hour. Stormy surges in Manila Bay crashed over seawalls, flooding a hospital, a five-star hotel and the US embassy.

Nesat blew out of the Philippines and into the South China Sea on Wednesday, but in some parts of Luzon the rain continues as 11,000 people remain scattered in evacuation centers, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said a tropical storm brewing in the Pacific Ocean and heading for Luzon would likely hit land within the week, adding to the damage caused by Nesat.

Author: Manasi Gopalakrishnan (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Sarah Berning