By Thea Alberto-Masakayan | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom – 10 hours ago- REUTERS - The main street of Roxas boulevard is seen submerged under flood waters in metro Manila September 27, 2011 after Typhoon Nesat, locally known as Pedring, hit the capital, Manila. Typhoon Nesat pounded
(UPDATE 6) Typhoon "Pedring" (International name: Nesat) has maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and a gustiness of up to 150 kph, but may be out of the Philippine area of responsibility (Par) by Wednesday, the state weather bureau said.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) has already lowered public storm signals in several areas, noting that a "gradual improving weather" may be seen late Wednesday afternoon.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) has already lowered public storm signals in several areas, noting that a "gradual improving weather" may be seen late Wednesday afternoon.
The weather bureau is however monitoring a new weather disturbance, which may be named "Quiel" once it enters the Par.
At least seven people have been killed due to Pedring, according to reports.
Signal # 3 is up in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, and Pangasinan
Signal # 2 in Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales.
Metro Manila is now under Signal # 1, along with the following areas: Babuyan Cagayan including Babuyan and Calayan group of islands, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Metro Manila.
Signal # 3 is up in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, and Pangasinan
Signal # 2 in Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales.
Metro Manila is now under Signal # 1, along with the following areas: Babuyan Cagayan including Babuyan and Calayan group of islands, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Metro Manila.
'Pedring' hits PhilippinesTyphoon "Pedring" (International name: Nesat) pounded Metro Manila causing thousands of residents to evacuate to temporary shelters.
Class suspension
Pagasa said suspension of classes for Wednesday may be unlikely as floods are seen to subside soon. Typhoon Pedring is however expected to "enhance the Southwest Monsoon and will bring scattered to widespread rains over Southern Luzon and Visayas," says Pagasa.
But in an announcement aired over radio dzMM, Department of Education-National Capital Region Director Elena Ruiz said classes will remain suspended in public schools in Malabon, Marikina and Navotas, as most of these schools are used as evacuation center.
For other schools, the public is advised to wait after the 11 pm advisory of Pagasa regarding the announcement of classes suspension.
Earlier in the day, Pagasa said Pedring slowed down after crossing the rugged Sierra Madre terrain, with a rainfall estimate of 15-25 mm per hour.
"Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," Pagasa said in its advisory.
"Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," Pagasa said in its advisory.
Sofitel, SM Marikina floods
At the height of Pedring's wrath, floods submerged roads and establishments.
A dzMM news report said at least 30 vehicles were affected as basement parking area in Sofitel hotel gets flooded. A forced evacuation was ordered, following the collapse of a seawall behind the hotel premises, the dzMM report added.
Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez has assured that all the Sofitel guests have already been transferred to other hotels.
Pagasa, in a briefing 5:00 pm, said heavy rains coincided with the Manila bay high tide, causing a water surge.
Motorists drive along a flooded road in Manila, on September 27. Typhoon Nesat brought the Philippine capital to …
In Manila, floods have been reported along major thoroughfare Roxas Boulevard and as 5:30 pm, Roxas Boulevard is impassable to all types of vehicles. Floods reach chest-high near the Luneta park, a radio dzMM report said.
Employees of the U.S. embassy have also been evacuated.
Leg-high flood waters were also reported inside Ospital ng Maynila, according to dzMM. The hospital has also appealed for portable generators after a power interruption hit the area.
A report from dzMM said SM Marikina's basement is already submerged in flood waters.
Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte earlier announced the suspension of work in all government offices Tuesday.
Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the suspension covers NCR, Regions 1, 2, 3, CAR, Batangas Cavite, Rizal and Laguna.
Classes from preschool to college have been suspended in the said areas.
Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte earlier announced the suspension of work in all government offices Tuesday.
Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the suspension covers NCR, Regions 1, 2, 3, CAR, Batangas Cavite, Rizal and Laguna.
Classes from preschool to college have been suspended in the said areas.
In a briefer issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), at least 3,186 passengers were stranded in areas affected by typhoon Pedring.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has issued a flight advisory cancelling at least 41 domestic flights.
"A total of 1,355 families/6,112 persons were affected in 38 barangays, 12 municipalities, 1 city, 5 provinces in Regions II, III, IV-A, and V," it added.
In Albay alone, pre-emptive evacuation had 21,547 families or 111,930 persons fleeing for safety.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has issued a flight advisory cancelling at least 41 domestic flights.
"A total of 1,355 families/6,112 persons were affected in 38 barangays, 12 municipalities, 1 city, 5 provinces in Regions II, III, IV-A, and V," it added.
In Albay alone, pre-emptive evacuation had 21,547 families or 111,930 persons fleeing for safety.
