Severe storm soaks northern Philippines after second strike
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The Philippines sees an average of 20 cyclones a year, with eight or nine hitting the coast.
PHOTO: EPA
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MANILA - Severe tropical storm Co-may is drenching the northern Philippines and threatening some rice and corn crops following a second landfall on the morning of July 25, after clipping a north-western peninsula overnight.
The storm – known locally as Emong – crossed the coast near Candon, a small city around five hours’ drive north-west of Manila, according to the national weather agency.
The tropical cyclone was packing top sustained winds of 100kmh, the bureau said.
The storm is forecast to head north-east over land and emerge over water into the Luzon Strait later on July 25. The system has weakened since crossing the coast as it interacted with mountainous terrain.
Government work and classes in the Philippines were shut for a fifth straight day.
The death toll from the combined effects of the south-west monsoon and three tropical storms including Co-may increased to 25 on July 25, from 12, noted the national disaster agency.
Eight people are still missing, it said, adding that the combined damage to agriculture and infrastructure from the weather events was at 4.35 billion pesos (S$97.9 million).
The Philippines sees an average of 20 cyclones a year, with eight or nine hitting the coast.
In 2024, a blitz of six powerful storms made landfall within weeks, sapping economic growth and causing agriculture losses.
Rice harvesting started in July and the collection of corn typically begins in August, according to the US Foreign Agricultural Service.
The Philippines is the world’s biggest rice importer and any damage to domestic crops could force the nation to seek more supply from overseas. BLOOMBERG
