Meari causes heavy flooding in Metro Manila

At least 11 people are still missing after the storm Meari (called Falcon locally) caused chaos across the country with heavy rain battering four regions. The storm was expected to pass today, but heavy rain will persist. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said 10 fishermen from the village of San Vicente in Virac who went to sea on Thursday are still missing. A resident of Ligao town in Albay, Rosa Belga Ordan, also went missing after being swept away by floodwaters. Around 166,708 Filipinos have been affected by the torrential downpour brought about by the storm since Thursday afternoon. In Metro Manila, thousands of residents were affected yesterday as Meari caused massive flooding in the western and eastern portions of the metropolis. Residents living near the Marikina River in Marikina City were forced to move to evacuation centres after floodwaters reached 16 metres in some parts. In Manila as well as the suburbs of Malabon, Valenzuela, as well as parts of Quezon City, residents had been living with waist-deep waters since Thursday evening. Early Friday, authorities of some schools in the area were forced to cancel classes due to the adverse weather conditions and massive flooding. Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said government offices were forced to close on Friday afternoon due to the bad weather. "We have received word from the Office of the Executive Secretary that Memorandum Circular number 14 has been signed by Executive Secretary Ochoa suspending work in government agencies in the National Capital Region from 1pm yesterday, onwards except in those involved in essential health and emergency duties and delivery of basic services," Valte said. Thousands of commuters and motorists were left stranded after sustained heavy downpour flooded areas of Makati City, Manila, and Quezon City. From / Gulf News