Although not classified as a storm until Friday, Meari dumped heavy rains that overwhelmed the perennially clogged 

drainage systems of Metro Manila, particularly in Manila, the suburbs of Quezon, Makati City, Malabon and Valenzuela 

City.


In Malabon and Quezon cities, the flood waters reached up to thigh-high in some parts with some roads still remaining 

inaccessible.


Malabon suffered flooding despite the several billion-peso much-delayed Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela 

(Camanava) flood control project.

<h2>Destruction</h2>

During the height of the storm, three tornado incidents were reported in separate parts of the country. These were in 

Central Philippines' Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo, which damaged 24 houses and destroyed 25 others; in Quezon City's 

Immaculate Village in Balete Drive, and in New Manila.


The three tornado incidents injured several people.


According to the state weather bureau, Meari carried winds of 105km/h near the centre.


The storm also increased its speed to 24 km/h from 19 km/h while moving north-northwest in the general direction of 

Korea.

Meanwhile, in Marikina, a low-lying suburb of Manila, 25,000 people were in evacuation centres after waters reached 

dangerous levels, the office added. Authorities indicated it was too early to say when people would be able to return 

home.


Seas were still too rough for small craft, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.


A woman was washed away by raging waters while two children could not be accounted for amid floods and landslides 

outside the capital.


While Meari only brushed the eastern side of the country, it still brought torrential rain for most of the week.


Even though the storm was about 600km north of Manila and moving towards China yesterday, it continued to add to 

seasonal monsoon rains, the government weather station said. Numerous schools closed and at least 26 flights had been 

cancelled since Friday due to the bad weather, the disaster risk reduction council said.

Storm leaves Philippines causing misery to thousands