Tropical Storm Ketsana, locally referred to as Ondoy, deluged Manila and surrounding areas with 455mm (18 inches) of rain in 24 hours Saturday, killing 240 people and displacing 609,548 according to SitRep 12 (29 September) from the Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Ketsana caused the country’s worst flooding in 42 years, according to the Philippine government and observers on the ground.

The numbers of dead and displaced are expected to rise significantly as floodwaters recede, allowing rescuers to gain access to isolated areas, and health officials have expressed concern about the spread of swine flu, diarrhea, and leptospirosis.