Manila flood death toll rises
MANILA. August 8. KAZINFORM At least 16 people have died in severe floods in the Philippine capital, Manila officials say.
More than 80,000 people are taking refuge in emergency shelters, as heavy rain continues.
Soldiers and rescuers are using rubber boats to reach people stranded in their homes, but some are refusing to leave amid fears of looting, Kazinform refers to BBC.
The flooding - neck-deep in some areas of the city - forced the closure of offices and schools around the city.
In the worst reported incident, nine members of one family died after a landslide hit shanty houses.
More than half the amount of rain normally seen in August has fallen in the capital in 24 hours, with the head of the national disaster agency describing the situation as a "waterworld".
President Benigno Aquino urged for the public's co-operation, warning that the government did not have "infinite capabilities" to deal with the natural disaster.
Manila and the northern Philippines have suffered constant bad weather since Typhoon Saola struck just over a week ago, killing more than 50 people.