Flights Cancelled as Typhoon Gaemi Dumps Heavy Rain on Manila
Manila (Philippines), July 24, 2024 – Typhoon Gaemi has brought torrential rain to the Philippine capital, Manila, and nearby areas, leading to widespread flooding, school and office closures, and significant flight cancellations. Authorities have declared a state of calamity in the region, which is home to 13 million people.
The storm, strengthening as it heads towards Taiwan, has not made landfall in the Philippines but has intensified the monsoon rains. This has resulted in landslides and severe flooding over the past few days. The national disaster agency reported that at least 12 people have lost their lives, and over 600,000 individuals have been displaced, with water levels in some areas reaching neck-high.
In response to the crisis, the Philippine coast guard reported that 260 passengers and 16 vessels were stranded in ports. The airport authority confirmed that 114 flights out of Manila were canceled on Wednesday. Financial markets were also closed due to the storm’s impact.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed disaster relief agencies to provide necessary assistance and supplies to isolated communities. Mayors of 16 cities in the Greater Manila area have requested emergency funding to cope with the disaster.
In Marikina City, emergency workers waded through waist-deep water and used rubber dinghies to rescue residents from their flooded homes. Many residents sought shelter in churches, among them Ladylyn Bernas, who shared, “The flood reached the second floor of our house, all our things are ruined, everything got wet, nothing was saved.”
Social media was flooded with images and videos of vehicles stranded or floating in the water, highlighting the storm’s severe impact.
The Philippines typically experiences around 20 tropical storms annually, often leading to floods and deadly landslides. Typhoon Gaemi’s aftermath underscores the country’s vulnerability to such natural disasters and the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.