“The meeting has become another expression of our commitment to win the race to preserve our planet for future generations"
Philippine authorities moved thousands of residents of the capital, Manila, out of their low-lying communities on Saturday as heavy monsoon rain, compounded by a tropical storm, flooded the city and nearby provinces.
The national disaster agency said 14,023 people, most of them from a flood-prone Manila suburb, had moved into evacuation centres.
“We ask residents of affected areas to remain alert and vigilant, take precautionary measures, and cooperate with their respective local authorities,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
Harsh weather has hit several parts of the world in recent weeks, bringing floods to China, India and Western Europe and heat waves to North America, raising new fears about the impact of climate change.
The Philippines, a Southeast Asian archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, sees about 20 tropical storms a year but a warmer Pacific Ocean will make storms more powerful and bring heavier rain, meteorologists say.
In some parts of the Philippine capital region, an urban sprawl of more than 13 million people, flood waters, in places waist-deep, cut off roads to light vehicles.
The Philippines is also grappling with a severe outbreak of Covid-19, and has tightened curbs to prevent the spread of the more infectious Delta variant.
Roque said the public works ministry was busy clearing debris and landslides from roads in the provinces.
“Some houses were flooded up to the roof,” Humerlito Dolor, governor of Oriental Mindoro province south of the capital, told DZMM radio station.
“The meeting has become another expression of our commitment to win the race to preserve our planet for future generations"
Companies that obtain an ADGM licence will enjoy certain benefits, including a streamlined transition process
If you're planning a trip to Dubai, be sure to visit Renty for a first-class driving experience
The actor attended the event in the UAE along with his family
Tremors were felt in the Greek capital of Athens and as far away as the southern island of Crete
The Buyback Programme is a huge step in creating solutions for nature
Dozens of other products that contain benikoji — including miso paste, crackers and a vinegar dressing — have been withdrawn from the market