Typhoon Yinxing, also known as Marce locally, wreaked havoc in the northern Philippines before moving away from the country, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. This marked the 13th major storm to hit the disaster-prone Southeast Asian archipelago this year.
Although there were no immediate reports of casualties from Typhoon Yinxing, it caused significant damage to infrastructure and homes. The typhoon brought heavy rains, floods, and landslides, particularly affecting Cagayan province where it made landfall. More than 40,000 villagers were evacuated to safer locations in anticipation of the storm's impact.
In Batanes, the northernmost island province, Governor Marilou Cayco reported that Yinxing's fierce winds and rain caused damage to houses, seaports, and two domestic airport terminals. The extent of the damage in other affected areas, including mountain towns hit by landslides, is still being assessed by officials.
The aftermath of Typhoon Yinxing adds to the challenges faced by the Philippines following the recent onslaught of Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Kong-rey. These earlier storms resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction, with millions of people affected and billions of pesos in damages to crops and infrastructure.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has decided to prioritize recovery efforts, leading to his decision not to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru. This underscores the government's commitment to addressing the immediate needs of those affected by the series of natural disasters.
The Philippines, with its geographical location prone to typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activity, remains one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The resilience of its people and the concerted efforts of authorities in responding to these calamities will be crucial in the ongoing recovery and rebuilding process.
