Tropical Storm Trami kills at least 14 in Philippines
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
Flooding in the Philippine village of Quitang, in Pasacao, due to Storm Trami on Oct 22.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KATHLEEN BASCO DACIAN/STORYFUL
Follow topic:
MANILA - At least 14 people were killed in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Trami flooded villages, inundated rivers and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes as it approached the eastern coast.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Oct 23 ordered responders to prepare for the main storm’s landfall over the north-eastern province of Isabela during the night or in the early morning of Oct 24.
“The worst is yet to come, I’m afraid. Let’s all prepare,” he told a situation briefing. “The volumes of water are unprecedented. We should closely monitor that.”
State weather forecaster Pag-asa said in its 5pm bulletin that Trami’s centre was last estimated at 175km off the north-eastern town of Echague in Isabela province.
It warned of strong winds, heavy rain and storm surges in coastal towns within the typhoon’s path. The storm, which was packing winds of 95kmh, also shut down government work and schools across the main island of Luzon.
Trami dumped heavy rain in the central region of Bicol on Oct 22, forcing residents to flee their homes as flood waters reached as high as the roofs of bungalow houses.
Rivers overflowed and triggered flash floods, a disaster official said.
At least 12 people died in the city of Naga, police chief Erwin Rebellon said by phone, adding that details of the circumstances were still being collated.
The regional civil defence office reported two more fatalities in other parts of Bicol. A 22-year-old died in Palanas town in Masbate after being hit by a tree branch, and a 71-year-old man was killed in Bagamonoc town in Catanduanes after falling from the roof of his house. Five fishermen were reported missing.
More than 47,500 people fled their homes due to the storm, it added.
“We got almost two months’ worth of rainfall in just 24 hours,” Albay provincial disaster chief Cedric Daep said by phone.
The national civil defence office said separately on the morning of Oct 23 that five people were injured and seven were reported missing.
Mr Marcos ordered government agencies to closely monitor the volume of rainfall in the coming days, pre-position government resources and anticipate people’s needs.
The Philippine central bank on Oct 23 suspended currency trading and monetary operations for the day. Stock market trading operated as normal.
Agencies involved in disaster response and vital services remained open, the Office of the President said. REUTERS
