Manila: At least two people died and six others are reported missing after tropical depression “Ferdie” brought heavy rains in and near Metro Manila as well as several northern Luzon provinces.
Ferdie, initially categorised as a low-pressure area hovering over the north-western portion of the main northern island, had developed into a tropical depression on Friday afternoon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) had hoisted storm warning signal number 2 over several areas as a result. These include the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Calayan Islands, Babuyan Islands, Batanes Islands, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province.
Storm signal number 1 means winds of 30-60 kph can be expected within the next 36 hours in the affected areas.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Benito Ramos said that they have confirmed two deaths from the onslaught of Ferdie. He identified the fatalities as 31-year-old Jonathan Sagodaquiel of Lumban town in Laguna province south of Metro Manila and Wilcor Rellera, 35 of Naguillan in northern Philippines’ La Union province.
Six other victims, including six-year-old Niel Calay of La Union, have been identified as missing from the strong currents resulting from the heavy rainfall.
In Metro Manila, motorists and office workers were left stranded in waist deep waters as the streets were flooded after heavy rains fell round 9am.
The Metro Manila Development Authority issued a flood warning immediately and by 4pm, the alert was recalled as only a few roads were left flooded. Among the heavily inundated suburbs are Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay, Pasig, Paranaque and Taguig cities as well as Manila itself due to the high amount of rainfall in these areas
PAGASA said in some parts of the metropolis as much as 45mm of rain fell in just a span of two hours.
Several flights to an from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila have been cancelled as early as Friday.
Classes in the college level have been called off as a result of the bad weather. There are no elementary nor high school classes on Saturdays which is considered in the Philippines as weekends
PAGASA said that as of 7am on Saturday, “Ferdi” was estimated based on satellite and surface data, at 90km North Northwest of Laoag City, it is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Sunday morning.
Ramos said the government emergency services have been placed on alert as early as Friday for the effects of Ferdie.
