The recent devastation caused by Tropical Storm Trami in the Philippines has led to tragic losses, with at least 126 individuals reported dead or missing due to flooding and landslides. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. provided updates on the response efforts, emphasizing that rescue operations are ongoing and that the intense rainfall overwhelmed many flood controls across affected provinces. Marcos stated that floodwaters in some areas exceeded what flood infrastructure could manage, particularly in regions that received nearly one to two months’ worth of rainfall within just a 24-hour period. He added that these conditions are unprecedented, underscoring the urgency for updated flood control projects to counter similar future risks as climate change impacts grow more severe.
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As of Saturday, many areas remain isolated, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. With Trami moving away from the northwestern part of the country, the extent of destruction has become more apparent, as search teams assess areas that had been unreachable earlier. By Friday, government records indicated that at least 85 lives were lost, with dozens of individuals still missing, though officials expect the numbers to rise as communications and access to remote areas improve.
In Talisay, a community in Batangas province that bore some of the brunt of Trami’s impact, emergency responders are actively recovering bodies from landslide sites. On Saturday, rescuers found one of the last two missing individuals in the village of Sampaloc. As one father awaited confirmation of his 14-year-old daughter’s identity, he expressed deep sorrow, witnessing a body bag being taken away by officials, hopeful but still uncertain that it was his missing child. In the village center, a dozen white coffins were prepared for those lost in the disaster, a somber scene highlighting the storm’s human toll.
More than five million people were affected by the storm’s trajectory, with close to half a million residents seeking safety in approximately 6,300 emergency shelters. These efforts reflect the widespread disruption the storm has caused across multiple provinces. The government had proactively ordered the closure of schools and government offices for three consecutive days, aiming to minimize risks for millions of people across Luzon, the country’s main northern island. Inter-island ferry services were also suspended, leaving thousands stranded as officials tried to limit movement in and out of high-risk zones.
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During an emergency Cabinet meeting, Marcos expressed concern over potential forecasts that the storm might reverse direction due to a high-pressure weather system in the South China Sea, which could push it back towards the Philippines. This raised additional fears about prolonged impacts, although current forecasts suggest Trami is more likely to continue moving towards Vietnam over the weekend unless it changes course.
The weather has begun to clear in many areas, offering an opportunity for cleanup and recovery efforts to progress. In some affected communities, fallen debris and water levels are being cleared to facilitate a return to normalcy, although many will need extended recovery time.
Storms and typhoons are regular occurrences in the Philippines, with approximately 20 storms affecting the nation each year due to its location between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan left over 7,300 people dead or missing, causing immense destruction as it flattened entire communities. Storms like Trami highlight ongoing vulnerabilities and the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure across the country.
