A devastating Tropical Storm Trami has wreaked havoc in the Philippines, claiming the lives of at least 14 people and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate their homes as it approached the eastern coast.
Rescuers braved chest-deep floodwaters to reach stranded residents, with torrential rain transforming streets into rivers and submerging entire villages. The city of Naga reported 12 fatalities, while two more deaths were recorded in other parts of the Bicol region.
As the storm nears the country’s main island of Luzon, around 32,000 people have fled their homes. The Bicol region, located 400km southeast of Manila, faces severe flooding that is complicating rescue operations.
President Ferdinand Marcos expressed concern at the emergency meeting, emphasizing the need for preparedness. Families displaced in Bicol are seeking refuge in over 2,500 evacuation centres.
This disaster brings back memories of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which caused widespread devastation and claimed thousands of lives in the central Philippines. Let us hope for minimal damage and casualties as the country battles the aftermath of Tropical Storm Trami.