MANILA: A tropical storm has caused significant destruction in the Philippines, resulting in dozens of deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands.
Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Kristine, has led to severe flooding and landslides across Luzon, the country’s most populous island, as well as in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao regions along the eastern coast.
Even before making landfall in Isabela province on Thursday, the storm brought torrential rains, particularly affecting southeastern Luzon, including Bicol and Calabarzon, where most casualties have been reported.
According to the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, at least 46 people have died and 20 are missing. Many fatalities were attributed to drowning, electrocution, and landslides. Nearly 320,000 individuals have been displaced, seeking shelter in evacuation centers or with relatives and friends.
The hardest-hit areas include Naga City, Albay, and Caramoran municipalities. Ray Anthony Austria, a resident of Guinobatan in Albay, reported that government emergency responders have struggled to reach certain locations due to landslides blocking access.
“It seems that no one was really prepared for this amount of rain. There is still confusion and a lack of communication. Everyone is overwhelmed by the situation,” he told Arab News.
Austria added that many communities are waiting for assistance, but local governments are unable to provide help. “We had to go in on foot to reach some of them. They are in urgent need of food, water, and clothes, as many were unable to save their belongings.”
The Philippines is identified as the country most at risk from natural disasters, according to the 2024 World Risk Report.
