At least 106 dead and over 400 thousand displaced in and around Manila

Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The deaths caused by tropical storm Ketsana continue to increase. By the end of this morning, according to official figures, there were 106 victims. The storm produced the worst flooding in 40 years in the capital and nearby provinces.

The Ministry for Defence says that there are at least 435 thousand people displaced and homeless. There are also dozens of missing people who are feared drowned.

Although today the water is withdrawing, there are still people stranded on rooftops or in cars or sailing on the swollen river on makeshift rafts. Army, police and volunteers have launched a series of emergency operations, saving at least 5 thousand people so far.

The government declared a state of calamity in Manila and 25 other provinces, allocating emergency funds to them. President Gloria Arroyo has visited the devastated area and asked the international community for aid. At least a quarter of the capital remains under water.

Tropical storm Ketsana, with winds of over 100 km per hour, invested the Philippine archipelago over the weekend. Saturday, September 26 in Manila 40 cm of rain fell in 12 hours.