A tropical storm, locally named Trami, has brought catastrophic weather to northern Philippines, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 people while forcing around 150,000 residents to evacuate from their homes. The storm made landfall on Thursday on Luzon, the nation’s largest and most populated island, unleashing torrential rains that amounted to an entire month’s worth of precipitation in a single day across various areas.
The Bicol peninsula has been particularly hard-hit, with floodwaters compelling inhabitants and their pets to flee to the safety of their second-story floors. In response to social media appeals for help from people stranded on their rooftops, the coast guard deployed rubber boats for rescue operations. One resident from the flooded town of Bato, Karen Tabagan, expressed her fear, stating, "It's getting dangerous. We're waiting for rescuers."
Authorities estimate that over two million individuals have been adversely impacted by Trami, known locally as Kristine. The storm also triggered lahar flows—volcanic mudslides—in the vicinity of Mount Mayon, an active volcano nearby. Glenda Bonga, acting governor of Albay province, revealed the unexpected severity of the rains, stating, "The rains were really severe. We did not expect this."
Packing wind speeds of up to 95 km/h (59 mph), Trami was projected to move out of the country’s northwest coastline by late Thursday night. Meanwhile, search efforts were underway for a missing fisherman whose boat capsized off the coast of Bulacan province. Reports indicate that rescue operations faced challenges due to strong currents caused by the storm's winds.
Flight cancellations across the Philippines have compounded the difficulty of reaching those in need. Despite the storm's progression, officials remain alert, warning of the persistence of heavy rains, landslides, and potential storm surges. Additionally, meteorologists noted the possibility of another low-pressure area developing into a tropical depression by the week's end. The country, which regularly experiences an average of four typhoons annually, has encountered increasing severity in storms, with stronger winds and more intense rainfall reported in recent years.
