Heavy flooding inundated the Philippine capital on Tuesday, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate and prompting the closure of schools and government offices amid a brewing storm offshore. At least six people have died, and another six remain missing following the passage of Tropical Storm Wipha.
Many neighborhoods in Manila woke to calf-deep floodwaters after an overnight deluge swelled the Marikina River. Over 23,000 residents living along the riverbank were evacuated from their homes overnight and relocated to schools, village halls, and covered courtyards. An additional 47,000 people across Quezon, Pasig, Caloocan, and the main government district were also forced to evacuate.
Wilmer Tan of the Marikina rescue office explained that most evacuees are from low-lying areas near creeks. The river reportedly reached 18 meters (59 feet) in height during the storm. Emergency workers reported tragic incidents, including an elderly woman and her driver being swept away while crossing a bridge in Caloocan. The car was later recovered with a broken window, initially prompting hope they had escaped. However, Caloocan Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan confirmed that one of the bodies had been found, with the driver’s body recovered 4.5 kilometers from where the vehicle was swept away.
As floodwaters receded in Manila by Tuesday afternoon, the national weather service announced that a low-pressure area off the east coast had intensified into a tropical depression. While not expected to make landfall, the depression is forecast to bring continued heavy rain through the end of the week, complicating recovery efforts.
Many residents remained unable to return to their homes. In Cainta, a town on the outskirts of Manila, journalists observed residents using styrofoam boxes and discarded refrigerators as makeshift flotation devices to navigate floodwaters, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by those affected.
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