by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - While Guam has been getting some pretty heavy showers, it's nothing compared relentless rains that have caused massive flooding in Manila, Philippines.

Nearly 270,000 people had to evacuate their homes in and around the Philippines capitol of Manila. According to the Philippines Weather Bureau the monsoon rains, which dumped about 12 inches or three times the daily average of 3-4 inches from late Monday to Tuesday, were the heaviest in three years.

The heavy downpour has also triggered a landslide that killed nine people and injured four others in the northern Manila suburb of Quezon City. Philippine police chief Nicano Bartolome fears more landslides could be possible as the heavy rains have saturated the soil on which many homes were built. A strict evacuation order is in effect. Torrential rains have submerged wide areas of manila and surrounding areas. Water levels reached over some residents' heads in several areas in metropolitan manila, where rescue workers brought the stranded to safer ground. Officials have deployed troops, police and emergency workers with rubber boats and amphibious trucks.

Most major roads in Manila were inundated by knee- to waist-deep floodwaters. Steady rains for the past 10 days have killed more than 50 people. Schools, financial markets and offices were ordered shut, including outsourcing firms whose corporate clients are mainly from the United States and Europe.

Some flights were also delayed or cancelled, and power, water and communications services in flooded areas were disrupted. Schools and sports gyms were converted into temporary shelters. And evidently it doesn't appear things will clear up anytime soon as weather authorities are warning more rains are expected that will likely trigger more flash floods and landslides.

Here at home Senator Tina Muna Barnes is accepting donations monetary, non-perishable food items, towels blankets and bed sheets to help the victims of the flooding. She is also working with community leaders and the Philippine Consulate General in Guam to send donations as they are received.