MANILA, Philippine: Relentless rain fueled by Typhoon Gaemi has left at least 20 people dead in the northern Philippines, police reported on Thursday.
The fatalities, occurring in Manila and the surrounding provinces, resulted from drownings, landslides, electrocutions, and a falling tree as torrential rain drenched Luzon, the country’s most populous island, this week.
Typhoon Gaemi, which intensified the seasonal monsoon rains, brought widespread devastation to the region. Emergency services were deployed across affected areas, battling through treacherous conditions to reach those in need.
Streets turned into rivers, and many residents were forced to evacuate their homes. The heavy downpours not only led to loss of life but also caused significant damage to infrastructure, disrupting power supplies and transportation.
The disaster underscores the vulnerability of the Philippines to extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change. The government’s response has focused on rescue operations and providing immediate relief to those affected.
As clean-up efforts get under way, the priority remains to ensure the safety of the affected communities and to restore essential services.
