7 of 10 SINKING; Philippines SINKING: One dead as most of Metro Manila flooded again! Floodwater reached 2.5 metres! India: Uttarkhand floods 33 dead, 35 missing!

[Stanislav]

Philippines SINKING:

/ Most of Metro Manila submerged in early morning floods. A large portion of Metro Manila on Saturday was once more submerged in floods as a result of heavy rains that fell overnight. Several roads and highways had been closed to traffic as the rains caused knee deep floods, stranding thousands of commuters on the way to work. According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino, several roads in Manila and the suburbs of Makati, Quezon City, San Juan, Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas area were closed to vehicles, except for buses, due to the floods. By itself, Sanba, despite its 185 km/h, winds is not expected to have much effect to the weather in the Philippines as it is too far and is already entering the area of responsibility of Taiwan and Japan, however, the southwest monsoon has caused considerably heavy rains over a large area of the northern main island of Luzon, particularly Metro Manila. /

/ Pre-dawn rains caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) left a great portion of Metro Manila inundated with floodwaters that rendered several roads impassable, causing monstrous traffic jams and stranding commuters yesterday morning. However, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said the flooding was “not as bad” as the recent “habagat” episode. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said typhoon “Karen” (international name: Sanba) enhanced the southwest monsoon, which triggered rains over parts of Luzon and the Visayas yesterday. /

/ Rescue operations are under way to help people stranded in floods in Manila after the Philippines capital was hit by fierce weekend rainstorms. Hundreds of families have been evacuated to higher ground. They are receiving relief supplies. Suburbs around the city - Quezon, Pasay and Makati - were inundated overnight on Friday. Floodwater rose as high as 2.5 metres. /

/ Heavy rains since Friday night inundated many barangays in the cities of Quezon, San Juan and Manila . The Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety monitored 9 flooded barangays waist-deep to about 6-feet deep. Some residents were evacuated to safety. Twenty-eight families were evacuated to the Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School in Tatalon, while 32 families were brought to the Doña Imelda Barangay Hall, and 10 to the Trinity Elementary School in Barangay Damayan Lagi. /

India TILTING & BACKWASHING:

/ A series of cloudbursts struck Uttarakhand since last night triggering landslides and flash floods that left 33 dead, 35 missing and several injured in parts of the hill state. Ukhimath area in Rudraprayag district was the worst hit as a cloudburst in the wee hours flattened dozens of homes in eight villages killing at least 29 people in their sleep. Over 35 people have gone missing in the disaster and 15 were injured. /

Thailand SINKING:

/ A total of 10 provinces, out of 77 provinces, mostly in the upper part of the country were hit by flood, Thai authority reported on Saturday morning. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Saturday that about 140,000 people from about 53,000 household were affected by floods since the flood started in mid August. The 10 provinces are central province of Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, northeastern province of Chaiyaphum, northern province of Lampang and southern province of Ranong. Almost 272 square kilometers of farmland were affected by flood. /

/ Thai government's flood protections are under scrutiny after two major northern cities have been flooded. This has prompted panic amongst Thai people saying they are afraid of witnessing for a second consecutive year deadly floods For the past few days, due to heavy rains, Sukhotai and part of Ayutthaya, both ancient capitals of Thailand have been submerged by high waters, following a breach in flood walls. Thousands of people have already fled their homes in parts of the northern provinces for fear of being trapped if the heavy rain breaches more flood protections.
The government apologized to northern residents, but still insisted that waters wouldn’t reach the capital Bangkok this year. Last year's flood was devastating, killing more than 800 people and resulting in billions of dollars in damage, unexpectedly ended up reaching Bangkok. Taking into account that over 40% of the country's GDP resides in the capital, one might think that the government will protect it at any cost, but most flood walls are still being built. In industrial areas home to mostly foreign companies, firms have ended constructing their own defenses, saying they do not want to experience again a shutting down production or lose valuable material. /

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Philippines:

Families evacuated in Manila floods

Rescue operations are under way to help people stranded in floods in Manila after the Philippines capital was hit by fierce weekend rainstorms.

Hundreds of families have been evacuated to higher ground.

They are receiving relief supplies.

Suburbs around the city - Quezon, Pasay and Makati - were inundated overnight on Friday.

Rain is expected to continue over the weekend.

Floodwater rose as high as 2.5 metres.

Several dams and rivers are at a critical level, prompting the evacuation of residents living near their banks.

Trains have been cancelled, as well as some domestic flights out of Manila.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-15/an-manila-flooded/4263294

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Most of Metro Manila submerged in early morning floods

Manila: A large portion of Metro Manila on Saturday was once more submerged in floods as a result of heavy rains that fell overnight.

Several roads and highways had been closed to traffic as the rains caused knee deep floods, stranding thousands of commuters on the way to work.

According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino, several roads in Manila and the suburbs of Makati, Quezon City, San Juan, Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas area were closed to vehicles, except for buses, due to the floods.

Earlier, Tolentino said that a major rework of Metro Manila’s storm drainage system is necessary to avoid flooding which has been increasingly affecting life in the Metropolis.

Aside from Metro Manila, heavy rains likewise also fell in the provinces of Quezon (19.8 mm), Tanay (63mm) and Infanta.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), southwestern monsoons, combining with the effects of Typhoon Sanba (local codename “Karen”) had brought heavy overnight rains on Saturday.

By itself, Sanba, despite its 185 km/h, winds is not expected to have much effect to the weather in the Philippines as it is too far and is already entering the area of responsibility of Taiwan and Japan, however, the southwest monsoon has caused considerably heavy rains over a large area of the northern main island of Luzon, particularly Metro Manila.

Heavy overnight rains also caused the dams in Luzon to reach critical level.

According to the PAGASA, the Ipo Dam in Bulacan as well as the Binga Dam was forced to release water as levels reach overflow limits.

The effects of the heavy rains also prompted the Philippine National Railways to stop train trips in Southern Metro Manila.

Except for the heavy rains that inconvenienced motorists and flooded roads and residences, the effect of the overnight monsoons had been minimal compared to previous weather disturbances that visited the country.

Southwestern monsoons that lashed the same areas of the country caused considerable damage that amounted to billions of pesos in the early part of August.

Every year, dozens of lives are lost due to calamities caused by heavy seasonal rains as well as tropical cyclones.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/most-of-metro-manila-sub...

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Floods submerge some villages in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Heavy rains since Friday night inundated many barangays in the cities of Quezon, San Juan and Manila .

The Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety monitored 9 flooded barangays waist-deep to about 6-feet deep.

Some residents were evacuated to safety. Twenty-eight families were evacuated to the Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School in Tatalon, while 32 families were brought to the Doña Imelda Barangay Hall, and 10 to the Trinity Elementary School in Barangay Damayan Lagi.

Eighteen people from barangay Roxas and barangay Mariblo were also rescued.

In barangay Del Monte, five families were evacuated, 15 in barangay Damayan, while four people were brought to a church in barangay Sto. Domingo and 33 families temporarily sheltered at the barangay Masambong covered courts.

In San Juan, 102 families are now temporarily houses at the San Juan Gym due to rising floodwaters in their area.

In the latest update from the San JUan City Risk Reduction and Management Office, Barangay Balong-Bato registered 6-deep floodwaters which forced residents to evacuate their homes as early as 3 a.m. Saturday.

Likewise, residents in the villages of Salapan, Batis, Kabayanan, San Perfecto, Rivera and Progreso also experienced three-and-a-half feet to six-feet deep floodwaters early dawn Saturday.

Meanwhile, several portions of Manila also experienced heavy flooding, stranding many people, mostly students, along Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard in Sta. Mesa, Manila .

Areas around the Manila City Hall are still flooded, as of posting. -- Reports from Dexter Ganibe, Dennis Datu, and Johnson Manabat, dzMM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/09/15/12/floods-subm...

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Rains Spawn Metro Flood

MANILA, Philippines --- Pre-dawn rains caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) left a great portion of Metro Manila inundated with floodwaters that rendered several roads impassable, causing monstrous traffic jams and stranding commuters yesterday morning.

However, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said the flooding was “not as bad” as the recent “habagat” episode.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said typhoon “Karen” (international name: Sanba) enhanced the southwest monsoon, which triggered rains over parts of Luzon and the Visayas yesterday.

The weather bureau said occasional moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.

It warned residents of possible flash floods or landslides due to monsoon rains.

Among the major thoroughfares rendered impassable to all types of vehicles, especially in the morning, were Pedro Gil-Taft and España-Lacson in Manila; the south bound lane of Quezon Avenue, from Maria Clara toward Araneta Avenue, Maria Clara-Araneta, and E. Rodriguez Boulevard in Quezon City.

Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Pureza Street, Ayala-San Marcelino, P. Burgos, Lagusnilad, Burgos-Victoria, UN-Taft, and Quirino-Taft were also impassable to light vehicles.

The Makati City government, through its Twitter account, reported three-foot deep flooding along Dela Rosa during the height of the downpour at 4:08 a.m., and was therefore not passable to traffic.

Floodwater reaching 12 inches high were also reported along P. Binay Street and Hen. V. Belarmino in Barangay Bangkal at 3:27 a.m., although these areas remained passable.

Early last month, floods brought by torrential southwest monsoon rains affected the entire National Capital Region (NCR) and other parts of Luzon such as Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Tarlac.

So shocking was the habagat floods that it brought back to mind images of the destructive deluge caused by Typhoon “Ondoy” in 2009.

Rescue Teams Deployed

Despite his weaker assessment of the rains, Tolentino said the MMDA still deployed rescue teams and “libreng sakay” (free ride) vehicles to help out people in various parts of the metropolis.

Rescue teams were also deployed to Sto. Domingo, Barangay Damayang Lagi, Barangay Mariblo and a portion of Araneta Avenue in Quezon City where waist-deep floodwater has been reported.

In San Juan City, around 100 families have been evacuated to the San Juan Gym because of the floods even as the San Juan River reached its critical level. Rescue operations are also being carried out in Barangay Balong-Bato.

“We have opened six floodgates at the Manggahan Floodway,” Tolentino said.

The MMDA chief also pointed to the unfinished drainage works of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as an exacerbating factor to the floods.

“We will be experiencing all of these until the (drainage works) are all finished,” he said.

“Karen” is at 680 kilometers (km) east of Itbayat, Batanes, as of 5 p.m. yesterday. It has maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 220 kph.

“Karen” is forecast to move towards Okinawa, Japan at a speed of 19 kph and a north-northwest direction, and is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday.

By Sunday morning, it will be 70 km south of Okinawa, Japan.

PAGASA reiterated its warning to fishing boats and other small sea crafts to prevent from sailing into the eastern coastline of the country. (With reports from Carlo S. Suerte Felipe, Rizal S. Obanil, and Ed Mahilum)

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/373615/rains-spawn-metro-flood

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India:

Uttarakhand cloudbursts: 33 killed, 35 missing

DEHRADUN: A series of cloudbursts struck Uttarakhand since last night triggering landslides and flash floods that left 33 dead, 35 missing and several injured in parts of the hill state.

Ukhimath area in Rudraprayag district was the worst hit as a cloudburst in the wee hours flattened dozens of homes in eight villages killing at least 29 people in their sleep. Over 35 people have gone missing in the disaster and 15 were injured.

"29 bodies have been recovered so far and 35 persons are still missing," Piyush Rautela Executive Director of Disaster Management and Mitigation Department (DMMD) here said.

Villages like Chunni, Mangoli, Kimana, Sansari, Giriya, Brahmankholi, Premnagar and Juatok in Ukhimath area were the worst hit, he said.

As the calamity struck the region, authorities launched rescue and relief operations with the help of the army and ITBP personnel. However, intermittent rains hampered relief and rescue operations, Rautela said.

Around 120 army and ITBP personnel were pressed for rescue operations. A helicopter has been kept on the standby for evacuation.

Communication and power lines were disrupted and traffic along several roads, including national highways in the area, was affected, DMMC officials said.

Rishikesh-Badrinath and Rishikesh-Gangotri highways have been closed due to landslips triggered by incessant rains.

Expressing shock over the tragedy, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna asked the District Magistrate to ensure relief and rescue operations on a war footing and sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the purpose.

Four persons were killed in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Bageshwar district last night. A couple was swept away in Kapkot area of the district. In two other incidents, two persons including a woman, were killed in Jagthana and Kharak Tanatoli villages in the district.

A similar tragedy in Uttarkashi district last month had claimed 28 lives and left 6 missing.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Uttarakhand-cloudbursts-33...

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Thailand:

Thai Flood hit 10 provinces

BANGKOK, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 10 provinces, out of 77 provinces, mostly in the upper part of the country were hit by flood, Thai authority reported on Saturday morning.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Saturday that about 140,000 people from about 53,000 household were affected by floods since the flood started in mid August.

The 10 provinces are central province of Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, northeastern province of Chaiyaphum, northern province of Lampang and southern province of Ranong.

Almost 272 square kilometers of farmland were affected by flood.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-09/15/c_131852491.htm

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Thai government flood protections under scrutiny

Thai government's flood protections are under scrutiny after two major northern cities have been flooded. This has prompted panic amongst Thai people saying they are afraid of witnessing for a second consecutive year deadly floods.
For the past few days, due to heavy rains, Sukhotai and part of Ayutthaya, both ancient capitals of Thailand have been submerged by high waters, following a breach in flood walls.

Thousands of people have already fled their homes in parts of the northern provinces for fear of being trapped if the heavy rain breaches more flood protections.

The government apologized to northern residents, but still insisted that waters wouldn’t reach the capital Bangkok this year.

Last year's flood was devastating, killing more than 800 people and resulting in billions of dollars in damage, unexpectedly ended up reaching Bangkok. Taking into account that over 40% of the country's GDP resides in the capital, one might think that the government will protect it at any cost, but most flood walls are still being built. In industrial areas home to mostly foreign companies, firms have ended constructing their own defenses, saying they do not want to experience again a shutting down production or lose valuable material.

Last year’s floods resulted in a negative impact for the image of the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. Many said she did not respond in an effective way to tame the disaster. However, the government said it ordered more sand bags and opened some protections in Bangkok suburbs to let water flow in a more controlled way, against the resident's misconception, who criticized authorities for protecting rich areas better.

Experts believe, this year construction of new water barriers has proceeded far too slowly, leaving many areas as exposed to high waters as last year. With floods already affecting up to one quarter of the country’s provinces, it is probably too late to set up new protections.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/09/15/261662/thai-government-floo...

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