Tropical Depression Maring batters Philippines

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) -- Heavy rains brought by Tropical Depression Maring triggered flooding Tuesday as schools suspended classes and work was suspended at government offices in Luzon.

Overnight rains and the threat of Typhoon Lannie also caused the suspension of court operations and legislative hearings and the cancellation of several flights as well as boat trips and sports activities scheduled in Manila.

Orange and yellow rainfall warnings for Metro Manila and Luzon provinces due to heavy rains have been issued by state weather bureau PAGASA, according to media reports.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, the weather bureau said the orange warning level was up in the areas of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas as flooding is threatening these provinces due to heavy rains brought on by the cyclone.

PAGASA said Metro Manila and the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Rizal and Quezon were placed under the yellow warning alert.

At the height of heavy rains earlier, two people were reportedly killed and 13 missing in areas of Luzon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said a 14-year-old boy and his 17-year-old brother were killed in a landslide that hit the makeshift houses of squatter families in Taytay, Rizal.

It said the landslide hit two houses in Dolores village around 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Radio station dzBB said 13 people have been reported missing in Calamba City, Laguna as Maring pounded Calabarzon with heavy rains and strong winds.

It said search and rescue operations have been launched for the missing residents of Parian and San Cristobal, both located near a river which had overflowed due to heavy rains from the cyclone.

PAGASA said weather conditions in Calabarzon and Metro Manila will worsen after Maring's landfall in Mauban, Quezon on Tuesday morning.

Late Monday evening, PAGASA placed 21 areas, including Metro Manila and a huge part of Luzon, under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1

Nikos Peñaranda of PAGASA said Maring is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday.