Ondoy's Fury

This is a bird’s eye view shoswing the devastation wrought by Tropical Storm Ketsana (locally known as Ondoy) in Manila. Houses are submerged and cars are carried by the strong current. The one on the picture showing mostly rooftops shows the extent of water levels in Marikina City, one of the most badly hit wherein more than 50 people reportedly died. Heavy rain poured continuously last Saturday overflowing rivers which resulted to flooded streets. (Photo by MARK BALMORES, taken from Manila Bulletin online.)

This is the first time Manila sank completely, according to Bayani Fernando, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman. Initially, the typhoon wasn't expected to hit this far. It was even broadcast at around 65-75kph only. Philippines sadly is located in a strategic place wherein tropical storm originates, the Pacific Ocean.

This photo you see on the right shows the large areas of Taguig City which is still submerged in water. This photograph taken from a plane after taking off from the NAIA Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday afternoon.

Another aerial shot shows a mass of survivors and vehicles stuck in a bridge in Cainta, Rizal. Pinning their hope to elevated places, they flocked to the bridge in multitudes and once can only hope the bridge won't collapse. (Photo taken from Manila Bulletin.)

*A Pacific typhoon or tropical storm like Ketana is a tropical cyclone that forms in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The basin is demarcated within the Pacific Ocean from Asia, north of the equator, and west of the international date line. Storms from the Eastern and Central Pacific crossing the date line are re-designated as typhoons; prior to entering the basin they are respectively called "hurricanes" and "severe tropical cyclones." This basin features the strongest cyclones on record. Nearly one-third of the world's tropical cyclones form within the Western Pacific. This makes this basin the most active. Pacific typhoons have formed year round, with peak months from August to October. The peak months correspond to that of the Atlantic hurricane seasons.

Since July, there has been intense reporting about brewing storms and I've even received an email that circulated through the internet that there might even a tsunami that would occur on the southernmost part of the archipelago. That was estimated to be around the 3rd week of July, thanks heavens it never occurred.

*Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_typhoon