Manila orders mandatory evacuation in select areas

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents living in flood-prone areas, as Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun) heads toward Metro Manila, ravaging parts of Quezon province.

Residents from coastal communities such as Baseco, Isla Puting Bato, Happy Land, and Old Sta Mesa were ordered to vacate their homes at 12:30 am Wednesday, July 16. The storm is expected to hit the city at noon of the same day.

Manila DRRM chief Johnny Yu said the residents were already aware of the necessary steps to take even before the storm made landfall. 

“They already know what to do. They’ve been informed of the evacuation plans even before the typhoon entered Luzon,” he told Rappler in Filipino.

Yu added that the city plans to hold forced evacuation at 5 am for residents who refuse to leave their homes, in case conditions worsen in the affected areas. Manila is currently under signal no. 3, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

Typhoon Glenda will pass through Metro Manila before exiting through Zambales on Wednesday evening. (READ: Glenda to cross Metro Manila before noon Wednesday) – Rappler.com