Thousands evacuated as tropical storm floods Philippines

More than 205,000 people have been evacuated in the Philippines as tropical storm Fung-Wong battered the country’s northernmost provinces on Friday, brining severe flooding, torrential monsoon rains and strong winds.

The storm – which has killed at least five people so far – affected more than 700,000 people in Manila and northern and central provinces, forcing more than 205,000 to evacuate.

Government forecasters said nearly a month's worth of rain fell overnight.

At least 86,000 people were displaced in Manila on Friday, as Fung-Wong flooded the ground floors of many homes, forcing residents to seek refuge on upper floors and rooftops.

The rain and an unrelated radar malfunction combined to divert, delay or cancel dozens of domestic and international flights at the capital's airport.

Government offices in the capital and 15 provinces were closed on Friday and the Philippine stock exchange suspended trading.

Fung-Wong is expected to leave Philippine territory by Sunday and track toward Taiwan and southern Japan.

Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the same northern Philippine region last week, leaving eight people dead and displacing more than 366,000.