Torrential monsoon rains have submerged much of the Philippine capital of Manila, killing more than 50 people in recent weeks. Flash floods, deadly landslides and neck-deep water have forced hundreds of thousands to leave their homes and more rain is expected.
PAGASA 6:30pm advisory: RED warning for Metro Manila. Heavy-torrential rains in next 3 hrs.
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) August 7, 2012
Apocalyptic view of Manila awhile ago! THIS IS SCARY. #PrayForThePhilippines #TrustGod http://t.co/Q7WBrTTD
— Ice (@icepnzln) August 7, 2012
As the flood waters continue to rise, residents are harnessing the power of Twitter to bring order to the chaos caused by the floods. Citizens launched the hashtags #ReliefPH and #RescuePH to disseminate information, organize relief efforts and identify people in need of rescue.
Suggestion: start a #rescuePH hashtag for people that need emergency assistance?
— Sarah Meier (@sarah_meier) August 7, 2012
Let's start separating tweets on relief aid operations, calls for volunteers, appeals for support using hashtag #ReliefPH
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) August 7, 2012
Two important hash tags to take note of: #rescuePH #reliefPH Please make sure to use the correct one and RT! pic.twitter.com/1nyyINzr
— Preview Magazine (@preview_mag) August 7, 2012
#PHAlerts is the official government hashtag.
Government information during natural disasters http://t.co/IproTDmg #PHalerts
— Official Gazette PH (@govph) August 7, 2012
Urgent calls for help are coming in:
Please help my cousin who's in Talayan. She's pregnant. 1st floor of their completely inundated. 18 Caraballo St. #RescuePH @mmda
— Barnaby Lo (@barnabychuck) August 7, 2012
Flood in the UST Hospital is now on the 2nd floor. No food for the patients & staff. Pls. help! #rescuePH @rescuePH @MMDA
— Marcelo (@akoposimarcelo) August 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/TheKenNarvato/status/232758478362521600
https://twitter.com/raissalaurel/status/232758490047860736
https://twitter.com/isntitalronic/status/232782300503482368
# 17 Milflores St. Twinville Subd. Concepcion 1 Marikina City. 2 elderly, 8 kids sa attic. #rescuePH please @chairmangordon @News5AKSYON
— Carlo Lausin (@carlolausin) August 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/akazukin002/status/232732324423417857
Residents are using a crowd-sourced Google document to track emergencies.
Checking community managed #rescuePH Twitter hash tag and Google Doc.
Please refer to both to report, track, … http://t.co/bXYmA31R— Sarah Meier (@sarah_meier) August 7, 2012
And Twitter has become indispensable for spreading the word about donation drives, volunteer opportunities and other relief operations.
For #ReliefPH drives, share info here http://t.co/IxZaMVkQ. It will be collated in this spreadsheet http://t.co/dgXthpl2
— Candice Quimpo (@candicequimpo) August 7, 2012
#ReliefPH All Ayala Malls now accepting donations for flood victims. Just go to concierge booths in Ayala Malls /via @candicequimpo
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) August 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/marayee/status/232804126495494144
Volunteers welcome to join cops & soldiers packing relief goods at DSWD center in Pasay. #reliefPH #PrayforthePhilippines
— Blessy (@BJInTheMirror) August 7, 2012
MIRIAM COLLEGE IS NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS! #reliefPH
— Joseph Mark Rizon (@josephmarkrizon) August 7, 2012
OPERATION WALANG IWANAN: We will accept donations tomorrow as early as 6 am at DAR-HRD center located in QC! Contact 0906 419 20 16!
— Gawad Kalinga (@GawadKalingaHQ) August 7, 2012
@MichaelBearden Pls let everyone know that they can help out by donating to the Philippine Red Cross http://t.co/lWOJud6u #reliefPH TY!
— Blessy (@BJInTheMirror) August 7, 2012
Just got word. Ateneo open to anyone and everyone in need of shelter around the area. #rescuePH #reliefPH
— GT ✨ (@gabbietatad) August 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/theJenAquino/status/232696648063668224
More images of the dire situation in the Manila region:
https://twitter.com/THErazorblde/status/232664441248956417
https://twitter.com/MaeeeSugpatan/status/232779586549723137
Pics of streets in Manila. Yeah its THAT bad 🙁 pray. #manila #typhoon #flood #pray #manila #philippines http://t.co/3dajO1EQ
— Patricia (@pawtricia_c) August 7, 2012
Metro Manila submerged in flood. #prayforthephilippines #love #flood #hope #inatamoment #instamood #instadai http://t.co/YeI79hGN
— Jed Severino-Estrada (@jedseverino) August 7, 2012
Metro Manila submerged in flood. #prayforthephilippines #flood #instamood #instamoment #bestoftheday #photoo http://t.co/nQjO2jOO
— Jed Severino-Estrada (@jedseverino) August 7, 2012
Baha na. #flood #rain #staana #manila http://t.co/NIapn3ac
— Katre Samsin (@kat3samsin) August 7, 2012
Pray for the Philippines.
https://twitter.com/harrysmofo/status/232755760805867520
Dear God, please guide us Filipinos while we face this kind of weather. Many of our citizens are in need. Thank you #PrayForThePhilippines
— VMiguel Gonzales (@VMiguelG) August 7, 2012
So nice to see how brave we Filipinos are. We still managed to smile despite of the calamity. #PrayForThePhilippines
— solidkathniels (@SOLIDKATHNIELS) August 7, 2012