Philippines Overwhelmed by Flood Disaster

[Louisiana1976]

The Philippine government said Monday it could not cope with the massive flooding that displaced nearly half a million people, amid fears the death toll could soar past the official tally of 86.

Reaching people still stranded after Saturday's flooding in the national capital, Manila, and surrounding areas, the threat of disease outbreaks and providing survivors with aid were among the top concerns, authorities said.

"We are concentrating on massive relief operations. (But) the system is overwhelmed, local government units are overwhelmed," the head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Anthony Golez, told reporters.

"We were used to helping one city, one or two provinces but now, they were following one after another. Our assets and people are spread too thinly."

<snip>

President Gloria Arroyo said more rain fell on Manila and the surrounding areas than on New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina devastated the American city in 2005.

<snip>

more...http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Philippines_overwhelmed_by_flood_di_09272009.html

(OP's note: Hurricane Katrina didn't devastate New Orleans--the falling apart of the levees caused the flood there.)

[flvegan]

1. From the pics I've seen, I'm amazed that the death tally is 86.

Seems it would be 10x that.