MANILA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Floods caused by a tropical storm submerged many streets and highways in the Philippines on Tuesday, prompting the government to close schools and suspend work in Metro Manila and the affected provinces.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Ernesto Abella announced the suspension of government work in Metro Manila and nearby provinces affected by the tropical depression.
"Upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), the office of the executive secretary has announced that work in government offices in Metro Manila (and provinces affected by the tropical depression)," Abella said.
The Supreme Court and congress have also suspended work in the affected areas.
News reports said thousands of bus and ferry passengers were stranded in many parts of country as the tropical storm batters the Philippine main Luzon island.
Already, the government has warned of the risk of flooding and mudslides that the storm might bring.
Local GMA News reported that rescue efforts are underway in Quezon province, south of Manila, to save the passengers of buses that were stranded in the highway. At least three passengers reportedly climbed on top of the bus's roof waiting to be rescued, the report said, adding that a bus and a private car were among the stranded along the flooded road.
Airport officials announced the cancellation of a number of flights due to bad weather.
Tropical storm locally named Marine is expected to make a landfall in Mauban, Quezon province on Tuesday morning as it accelerated and intensified, the local weather bureau said.
The bureau said torrential rains and strong winds will be felt in the capital and nearby provinces as the storm crosses Quezon province.
In a bulletin issued at 4 a.m. local time on Tuesday, the bureau said tropical depression Maring has intensified, packing maximum sustained winds of 60 kilometers per hour and gust of up to 80 kph, and is moving west at a speed of 15 kph.
About 21 areas have been placed under tropical cyclones warning signal, including Metro Manila.
