Typhoon Co‑May Forces Philippines to Shut Schools and Cancel Flights
Mass Evacuations Amid Torrential Downpours in Manila
Earlier this week, tens of thousands fled from homes in Manila as floodwaters surged to waist‑deep levels. Rescue teams stranded by boat across adjacent provinces struggled to reach evacuees while several thousand residents remained unable to return home.
Storm Surge: Typhoon Co‑May and Tropical Storm Francisco
- Typhoon Co‑May – upgraded overnight, sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), expected landfall on the west coast in either La Union or Ilocos Sur by Friday morning.
- Tropical Storm Francisco – 735 km from the east coast, heading toward northern Taiwan; the two systems are not on a collision course.
Impact on Public Services
The national disaster agency reports at least 12 deaths and 8 missing persons since July 18, with monsoon rains preceding the typhoon’s arrival.
In response, the country’s weather service announced a suspension of classes across Luzon for Thursday. Seventy domestic and international flights have been canceled, the civil aviation authority stated.
Rescue Coordination and Current Conditions
“We cannot send them home yet because it is still raining and some typhoons are still expected to affect the country,” Ria Mei Pangilinan, a rescue coordinator in the capital, told AFP. “There might be more evacuees if the rain does not stop.”
Storm Position as of 11 am (0300 GMT)
Typhoon Co‑May – about 210 km off the west coast; Tropical Storm Francisco – about 735 km from the east coast.
