After a prolonged nine‑day downpour, intensified by tropical storms, the Pasig River in Manila has become a “tide of rubbish” as workers waded through debris to clear the waterway.
The deluge—roughly equivalent to more than a month’s rainfall in some areas—brought floods, landslides and accidents that claimed at least 16 lives across Luzon, according to rescuers.
Schools and government offices were shut to protect citizens, and emergency crews are now combing the river to remove bottles, plastic bags and other waste that rapidly accumulate during heavy rains.
Experts warn that the flood not only poses immediate safety hazards but also threatens long‑term ecological damage by depositing plastic and other pollutants into the river system.
For more on the situation, follow the BBC’s live updates here.
