Fifteen people are missing after a tropical storm in the northern Philippines flooded a wide swathe of metropolitan Manila, officials said today.

More than 75,000 people were forced to flee their homes in the capital and nearby provinces.

Civil Defence Administrator Benito Ramos said that one of 10 missing fishermen from Catanduanes province had been rescued about 75 miles (120km) away to the south in rough waters churned up by Tropical Storm Meari.

He said three other missing fishermen from nearby Camarines Norte and three other people separately swept away by floodwater have not yet been found.

Science under-secretary Graciano Yumul said up to 15 further cyclones could affect the country for the rest of the year.

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