"Falcon" leaves the Philippines flooded

Tropical storm "Falcon" (international name: Meari) has left the Philippines Saturday leaving the villages and towns flooded from continuous rains forcing people out of their houses.

The storm also left two dead and at least 15 missing.

Even when "Falcon" has left the country already, it continued to affect the weather in the country particularly add to the monsoon rains.

About 90,000 were forced to leave their homes and seek shelter at the evacuation centers after three days of heavy rains that left commuters in Metro Manila stranded for hours starting Thursday.

In Makati, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, formerly Buendia Avenue, was flooded in areas near the South Super Highway leaving Radyo Natin's Tonton Tomato having to literally go through thigh-deep waters Thursday evening. Parts of the CCP Complex where Manila Broadcasting Company is located were also flooded.

About 133,533 were evacuated in Bulacan and 25,000 from Marikina also moved to evacuation centers.

Universities and colleges cancelled classes in Metro Manila on Friday due to the heavy rains. Parents questioned the Department of Education why they have not cancelled classes sooner. DepEd, however, reminded parents that they have the final decisions if they would let their children go to school or not during heavy rains, even when there has been no announcement yet from the department.

In another development, residents in Cotabato have started returning home Saturday after neck-deep waters have started to subside. Water hyacinths in the marshes helped exacerbate the flooding there. Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said that over 80,000 families were displaced by the floods. — DBL