The Philippine Online Chronicles

Tropical storm Falcon (international name Maeri) grew stronger as it merged with a low pressure area earlier spotted off Virac, Catanduanes, resulting in hundreds stranded in offices, schools, and commuter stations in Metro Manila caused by rising flood waters.

Commuters caught in train stations and bus and jeep stops during the downpour had little choice but to wait out the rain as floods rendered some roads in Metro Manila impassible or heavily congested with traffic.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed police trucks, buses and troop carriers to assist some of the stranded passengers.

PNP chief Raul Bacalzo also ordered the Special Action Force, Maritime Group, Highway Patrol Group, Logistics Support Service and the National Headquarters Contingency Battalion to be prepared for deployment to flooded areas.

Meanwhile, 51 flights were cancelled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 2 and 3 and Manila Domestic Terminal 4 (MDT 4) because of the weather.

Ocean-bound passengers were also stranded as ferries were restricted to port, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Classes in all public and private pre-school, elementary and high schools in Metro Manila, Cavite City, Antipolo City, Cainta, Calamba City, and Malolos City were cancelled on Friday. The Department of Education however, said that the cancellation does not affect colleges and universities.

Signal no. 1 in 11 provinces

Storm signal No. 1 has been raised in Quezon, Aurora, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Batanes Group of Islands and Cagayan, including Calayan and the Babuyan Group of Islands.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, Falcon was 420 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was moving northwest at 15 kph.

The storm is expected to be 270 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan this afternoon; 320 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes by Saturday afternoon; and out of Philippine territory by Sunday morning.

In Bicol, at least 7,000 people were evacuated because of rising floods. Ten fishermen and a fish vendor in Catanduanes have also been reported missing because of rough seas and floods.

Falcon is the third weather disturbance to enter the Philippine territory this month.