Manila, Aug 28

More than 500 families have been displaced by flash floods in Samar province of Philippines after tropical storm "Kong-Rey", or locally known as Nando, triggered torrential rains in the region, an official said Tuesday.

The affected families numbering 547 from 11 villages in Samar have been taking shelter at various schools, Xinhua reported citing Philippines' deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. "We continue to be on alert," Valte said.

The state weather agency, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said that Kong-Rey has maintained its strength and continues to move closer towards the Batanes group of islands.

The tropical storm brings maximum sustained winds of 75 km per hour near the centre and gustiness of up to 90 km per hour, the agency said.

"Nando will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring light to moderate with at-times heavy rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon," PAGASA said in a bulletin. 

By:IANS

img src: cnn.com