Tornado in Manila damages 200 houses in Baseco compound

At least 200 houses in Baseco compound were damaged by a tornado that hit Manila on Sunday afternoon.

A report on GMA News TV's News To Go on Monday said the twister lasted for at least 15 minutes.

Baseco compound residents said the tornado started from the sea and first hit Block 1 Gasangan.

"Nagulat na lang ako na may mga sumisigaw na may ipo-ipo. Kahit ako napatakbo. Nakita ko yung ipo-ipo may tangay na yero o kayo," Chris Hispano, chairman of Barangay 649 Zone 68.

Hispano said the roofs of majority of the 200 houses were ripped off by the tornado. Some houses were also totally damaged.

The report said a resident sustained a hand injury.

The tornado, which hit Manila before 5 p.m. Sunday, also passed through Sampaloc district.

One convenience store was damaged, its air-conditioning unit even fell during the tornado's onslaught.

A barangay watchman in Sampaloc said a high-tension wire in their area exploded when hit by the twister.

Several old trees, meanwhile, were uprooted by the tornado in Intramuros area.

The tornado formed amid heavy rains brought on by the enhanced southwest monsoon in Manila and other parts of the National Capital Region.

At least five people have been confirmed killed and several others reported missing.

Meanwhile in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) head Johnny Yu said between 15 to 20 people were injured when the tornado hit, though most of them were only bruised and treated on-site.

Two were taken to the hospital, but also for minor injuries.

At the same time, Yu noted that the government is already assessing how to help the affected residents, most of whom are informal settlers.

A fire also hit the area after the tornado, Yu said.

"Ito 'yung medyo problema namin ngayon. Kino-coordinate na with social welfare and engineering departments for clearing operations," he said.

He added that Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has met with residents there and assured them of assistance, which includes basic needs such as clothes and food, as well as materials for their houses.

Yu said they are also assessing how the tornado began. — with a report from Jam Sisante/Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News