Manila deploys free rides due to flood

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila city government deployed free rides for passengers who were stranded due to a severe thunderstorm that affected the metropolis and neighboring areas, causing flooding on Saturday night.

In a statement, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) office said the thunderstorm that lasted three hours dumped 55 millimeters of rainwater and caused floods in the city.

Free rides with routes Buendia to España, Monumento and Divisoria were deployed to assist the stranded passengers.

The DRRM office monitored flooding at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the following areas: Taft Avenue, UN Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Padre Faura street, España Boulevard, Ma. Orosa street and Padre Burgos Avenue.

Woman drowns

In Quezon City, a woman drowned in San Francisco River in Barangay Apolonio Samson at the height of heavy rains on Saturday.

In a report, police said a man was about to collect trash when he saw the woman slumped near the retaining wall of Lorraine Riverside before dawn yesterday.

Probers said a medical examination showed that the woman suffered bruises in her head and abrasions on both knees.

The weather bureau said a thunderstorm dumped rains over Metro Manila on Saturday, which caused floods in various areas.

Several roads were not passable due to the floods, authorities said.