Manila : The Philippines declared a state of disaster in the capital region on Wednesday due to heavy monsoon rains intensified by Typhoon Gaemi. The severe weather has led to widespread flooding and evacuations in the main economic area.
The Metro Manila Council, comprising the mayors of the capital region, approved the declaration to facilitate the immediate release of relief funds, according to an online broadcast by the governing council, as reported by Bloomberg News.
The decision was made as heavy rains continued to batter the capital, home to over 13 million people and accounting for one-third of the country’s economic output.
Earlier on Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC) reported that 12 people had died due to floods and landslides caused by the intense monsoon rains worsened by the typhoon.
