MANILA: A tropical storm has wreaked havoc in the Philippines, leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Trami, locally known as Kristine, has caused severe flooding and landslides across Luzon, the country’s most populous island, as well as in Visayas islands and parts of Mindanao, along the Philippines’ eastern coast.
Even before it made landfall in the province of Isabela on Thursday, the storm was already bringing torrential rains, pummeling several regions, especially in the southeastern parts of Luzon such as Bicol and Calabarzon, where most of the casualties have been reported.
At least 46 people have been killed, while 20 remain missing, according to the latest data from the Philippines Office of Civil Defense. Most of the deaths were caused by drowning, electrocution, and landslides.
Nearly 320,000 people have been displaced, sheltering in evacuation centers or staying with relatives and friends.
Most of the casualties have been reported in Naga City and Albay and Caramoran municipalities.
Ray Anthony Austria, resident of Guinobatan in Albay, said government emergency responders have not been able to reach some areas, as landslides have blocked access.
“It seems that no one was really prepared for this amount of rain … There is still confusion, there is still lack of communication. I think everyone is just overwhelmed with the situation,” he told Arab News over the phone.
“There are so many communities waiting for help, but their local governments are helpless. It would endanger a lot of rescuers if they (went into) those communities … We did it on foot, and we were able to reach them. Some of them need a lot of food, water, and clothes because many of them were not able to save any of their belongings.”
The Philippines is the country most at risk from natural disasters, according to the 2024 World Risk Report.
Every year, millions of Filipinos are affected by storms and typhoons, which have lately been more unpredictable and extreme due to the changing climate.
Trami is the 11th and deadliest tropical cyclone to hit the country in 2024.
Last month, more than a dozen people were killed when Typhoon Yagi, locally known as Enteng, also hit the country’s east.
Austria, who witnessed both, said that Trami was much worse.
“In Naga and neighboring towns, many areas, houses are still submerged in waters, some at least waist-deep … In the town of Tinago, the water reached the second floor in some houses or around 15 feet,” he said.
“During Typhoon Enteng, there was also flooding, and some areas were underwater for a few days, but it is worse now … There were many people who never had to evacuate before, but this time they were forced to because of the amount of water. It’s worse.”
