Devastating Downpour Causes Closing of Manila

Torrential rains close down Manila with two fatal casualties. 

Torrential rains have brought the Philippine capital of Manila to a standstill, making streets impassable to vehicles and sending thousands of people into emergency shelters.

Schools, offices, the stock exchange, courts and embassies were closed on Monday as the weather bureau placed metropolitan Manila under red alert.

The national disaster agency and local officials reported at least two dead and several missing.

^{A family is taken to safety on a bamboo raft as floodwater rises in the farming town of Novaleta, some 26 kilometres outside Manila (AFP/Getty Images)}

Many areas are submerged in waist-deep floodwaters following a night of heavy rains brought by the monsoon which is enhanced by Tropical Storm Trami.

It hovered over the North Philippine Sea and drenched the main northern island of Luzon with up to 30 millimetres (1.18 inches) of rain per hour.

^{Residents take shelter from the rain after floodwaters inundated their homes in the farming town of Novaleta, some 26 kilometres outside Manila (AFP/Getty Images)}

Several dams were forced to open flood gates because of rising waters and thousands of residents downstream were told to move.
For more information: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/philippines/10251429/Torrential-rains-close-down-Manila-with-two-fatal-casualties.html