Storm Leaves 14 Dead in Landslides and Floods in Northern Philippines

In the northern Philippines, a powerful storm has recently left a devastating mark, with at least 14 fatalities attributed to landslides, floods, and swollen rivers, according to disaster-response officials.

Tropical Storm Yagi surged past Paoay town in Ilocos Norte province, moving into the South China Sea. The storm exhibited sustained winds of up to 75 kilometers (47 miles) per hour, with gusts reaching as high as 125 kph (78 mph), as reported by the local weather bureau.

There are forecasts suggesting that Yagi may intensify into a typhoon as it continues to traverse the sea toward southern China.

Storm warnings remain active across numerous northern provinces in the Philippines. Residents have been cautioned about the ongoing risks of landslides in saturated mountain communities and flooding in the agricultural lowlands of Luzon, the most populous region in the country.

Locally referred to as Enteng, Yagi has aggravated the seasonal monsoon rains. This has resulted in heavy downpours across Luzon, including the densely populated metropolitan area of Manila, where classes and government operations were suspended on Tuesday.

Reports indicate that at least 14 individuals lost their lives in northern and central provinces. Among these fatalities, three residents, including a pregnant woman, perished due to a landslide in the popular pilgrimage city of Antipolo, located west of Manila. The landslide buried shanty homes, according to Enrilito Bernardo Jr., Antipolo’s disaster-mitigation officer.

Additionally, four villagers are reported missing after their home was swept away by the floodwaters, contributing to the tragedy in the region.

On Monday, the storm’s effects left thousands of travelers stranded as sea travel was temporarily suspended at several ports, alongside the cancellation of 34 domestic flights due to the adverse weather conditions.

In a distressing incident, a training ship named M/V Kamilla, which was anchored in Manila Bay near the Navotas port, was struck by another vessel that lost control amid the turbulent waves. This collision resulted in damage to the ship’s bridge, which ultimately led to a fire onboard, forcing all 18 cadets and crew members to evacuate.

Rescue operations were conducted by a passing tugboat, which successfully saved 17 individuals from the training ship, while one person managed to swim to safety, as stated by the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Philippines is no stranger to severe weather, experiencing around 20 typhoons and storms each year. Nestled in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” the archipelago is prone to not only storms but also volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, positioning the Southeast Asian nation among the world’s most disaster-prone countries.