Eastern cities and towns in the Philippines were hit by torrential rain as a tropical storm approached, causing widespread flooding that left people stranded, some even on their rooftops. The government took precautionary measures by shutting down public schools and non-essential government offices across the main island of Luzon to ensure the safety of millions of residents.
The tropical storm, named Trami, was located about 310 kilometers east of Baler in the province of Aurora, with sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 105 kph. Thousands of villagers in northeastern provinces have been evacuated to emergency shelters, and storm warnings have been issued in over two dozen provinces, including the capital city of Manila.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. canceled his appointments to focus on coordinating search and rescue efforts. The situation was dire, with reports of people stranded on their rooftops for hours. Former Vice President Leni Robredo highlighted the challenges faced by rescue teams due to stalled rescue trucks and the need for more resources.
Coast guard personnel have been conducting rescue operations in flooded villages, but the demand for assistance exceeds the available resources. Thousands of passengers and cargo workers were stranded in seaports as ferry services were suspended and fishing boats were grounded due to rough seas.
Local officials emphasized the urgent need for national intervention, citing the overwhelming appeals for rescue. In Camarines Sur province, where flooding was severe, calls for help inundated officials, reflecting the scale of the crisis. In Quezon province, floods reached up to 3 meters in some areas, prompting the evacuation of thousands from low-lying communities.
The Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters, experiencing around 20 storms and typhoons annually. The country's location in the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 serves as a stark reminder of the country's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
