MANILA, Philippines - Trees were uprooted and roofs were ripped off homes when a tornado struck Manila yesterday afternoon.
Aldczar Aurelio, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said they monitored a thunderstorm that may have caused the tornado.
Some houses in Sampaloc were reportedly damaged. Old trees in Intramuros and Plaza Lawton were toppled by the tornado.
The tornado formed in Manila amid continuous heavy rains triggered by the enhanced southwest monsoon.
According to PAGASA, tornadoes are common during thunderstorms.
Unlike tropical cyclones, the occurrence and intensities of tornadoes could not be predicted by the weather bureau.