Hanoi, Aug. 17 -- The Philippine government on August 17 suspended in-person classes in Metro Manila and 12 other provinces as heavy rains brought by tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon continued to trigger severe flooding and landslides across the country, local media reported on August 17.

Accordingly, schools and government agencies in affected areas were directed to adopt alternative work arrangements, except for frontline services such as health, disaster response and other essential functions.

At least 50 cities and towns have declared a state of calamity, with Pampanga and Cavite placing all their municipalities under the status, according to the Office of Civil Defence (OCD) of the country.

The extreme rainfall has trig...