It is a sad time for the Philippines. It was raining in the morning of September 26 when people started their day. But before noontime, something was not right. The rain continued to pour in heavy torrents and water on the streets started to rise - fast! And traffic jams were everywhere!
The first six hours of "Ondoy" brought a month's worth rain.
Then reports on landslides and floods in Metro Manila and surrounding areas started filling the news. Facebook walls showed pictures of water-filled roads and submerged houses and vehicles. Twitter messages were all about the situations in different places, and asking for information on areas where friends and relatives live. Phone lines were down, so they resorted to any information they can get online.
The netizens came out in full force - posting information that they gathered here and there. Help hotlines, updates, relief aid and donations, news reports and address of people still trapped were posted in a lot of social networking sites, reposted nth times over so that it will reach those who need them.
As of 6pm tonight, the official report from the National Disaster Coordinating Council has reached 73 confirmed deaths, with hundred still missing. Affected Population: 69,513 families / 337,216 persons, and the partial number of evacuees: 11,967 families / 59,521 persons in 118evacuation centers.
The rescue operations are on-going. A lot of places are still submerged in water, and darkness. Hundreds of men, women, elderly and children are still out in the cold and hungry. Lot are still stranded on the streets. And a lot still cannot be traced by their friends and families.
Continue reading "Tropical Storm “Ondoy” (International name:Ketsana)"
