In the Philippines, rescue workers are trying to reach survivors of the recent floods, which have so far claimed 72 lives. Around 4000 people have already been brought to safety in the flooded capital Manila and its surrounding provinces. More than 250,000 people have been affected.

The floods were caused by tropical storm Ketsana. When the storm struck, 40 centimetres of rain fell on the capital in a single day. That is four times the normal rainfall for one month in the Philippines.

Eighty percent of the capital is now flooded and large parts of the city have no electricity. In addition, the city’s international airport and its ferry services have been shut down, leaving thousands of travellers stranded. The Philippine government has declared 26 of the country’s provinces disaster areas, permitting them access to emergency funds.

However, the weather has now begun to improve and the water level has started to drop.

Photo by ANP/EPA