Torrential rain paralyzed the city of Manila in the Philippines Tuesday, 7 August, sweeping homes from their foundations, stranding residents on rooftops and triggering a landslide. 250,000 people are now homeless.
Monsoons have pounded Manila and nearby areas for over a week. Meteorologists say more than half a month’s rain fell on the city in 24 hours.
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More than 50 people are confirmed dead. Nearby provinces suffered the most extensive flooding. Schools, financial markets and most government and private offices are shut down. Major roadways in the city are under five feet of water.
In coordination with the Philippine government, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) has provided humanitarian aid in the form of food, water and other relief supplies to the people of Manila in the most devastated areas. The Church continues to assess the needs of its members and their neighbors and has opened its meetinghouses to all in need of shelter. The Church’s Welfare Services will continue to provide aid to the people of Manila.
The Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that more than 800,000 people have been affected, with 18,600 gathering in government evacuation centers and some 231,000 seeking refuge with friends or relatives. Nearby provinces that were hard hit by the rains and flooding, include Bulacan, Bataan, Batangas and Laguna. Rains are expected to continue through Wednesday.
Read Mormon Helping Hands Respond to Philippine Flooding and Rains Pound, Flood Victims Increase in Manila on the Philippines Mormon Newsroom website.