Topan Gaemi Paralyzes Philippines, Flood City Streets, Dozens Of People Die

Manila, Philippines/ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Andrey Andreyev

JAKARTA - Heavy rain due to Topan Gaemi has flooded the Philippine capital, Manila, and surrounding cities. Authorities closed schools, offices, and canceled flights

The storm of Topan Gaemi, which got stronger as it headed for Taiwan, did not hit the Philippines but exacerbated seasonal monsoon rains, which caused landslides and floods over the past few days.

Reportedly 12 people were killed and more than 600,000 people displaced by the storm, known locally as Typhoon Carina, the national disaster agency said.

The Philippine coast guard said 260 passengers and 16 ships were stranded in ports while airlines canceled 114 flights from Manila on Wednesday, airport authorities said. Financial markets are also closed.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr told disaster aid agencies to provide assistance and prepare supplies for remote communities during the briefing. The mayor of 16 cities in the Greater Manila area asked for emergency funds, officials said.

In the city of Marikina, which is on the banks of the river, emergency workers cross the waters as high as the waist and use rubber boats to save residents from their flooded homes.

Some people took refuge in churches among statues of Catholics.

"Flooding reaches the second floor of our house, all our items are destroyed, everything is wet, no one is safe," Ladylyn Bernas, a refugee at a nearby church, told Reuters.