Manila:
Floods in Philippines have killed at least 51 people and left over 2.8 lakh people homeless. Four thousand people have been rescued so far.
Tropical Storm Ketsana lashed Manila and nearby provinces for nine hours on Saturday, triggering the worst flooding in four decades. 80 per cent of Manila is still under water, reports say. Several roads have been clogged by vehicles and debris stuck in floodwaters.
A mass rescue effort is under way. The deluge left some areas under up to 20 feet of water, stranding entire families on rooftops. The government has declared a state of 'calamity' in Manila and 25 other storm-hit provinces. This declaration allows the government to tap into emergency funds to enhance the rescue operations.
Highways were turned into raging rivers that swept away shanties and cars. Video footage from military helicopters showed desperate residents marooned on rooftops pleading for food and help.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who is heading the rescue efforts, said more than 4,000 people have been rescued so far by either helicopters or rubber boats; many are still stranded.
Teodoro said the storm had displaced nearly 2,80,000 people in Manila and five outlying provinces, with more than 41,000 people in 92 evacuation centres.