PHILIPPINES FACE FURTHER BAD WEATHER

Philippine authorities, still recovering from Typhoon Ketsana, have begun preparations for tropical storm Parma now in the area. They are continuing search and rescue missions and cleanup from the previous typhoon, which hit metropolitan Manila and 12 other provinces, causing significant damage, loss of life and transportation disruptions. Schools are currently scheduled to remain closed through 30 September due to flooding and the fact that many of the campuses are being used to provide shelter for more than 10,000 families.