MANILA, Philippines — A fierce tropical storm has wrought havoc across the Philippines, claiming the lives of 11 individuals as relentless rains triggered devastating floods and landslides over the weekend. Tropical Storm Yagi made landfall on the main island of Luzon on Monday, following its path past the Bicol region southeast of Manila, where heavy rainfall continued for a second consecutive day.
The Philippine state weather service has issued warnings of further downpours, raising concerns of additional flooding and landslides. In response to the dangerous conditions, schools and government offices in the capital were closed, ferry services were suspended in several areas, and 29 domestic flights were canceled.
Tragedy struck in Antipolo, a city near Manila, where three people, including a pregnant woman, died in a landslide. City information officer Relly Bonifacio confirmed that the bodies of four others, all drowning victims, were recovered from overflowing creeks in the area.
The city of Naga in Bicol was particularly hard-hit, with reports of a man electrocuted by rising floodwaters and a baby girl who drowned amid the chaos. Joshua Tuazon of the Naga public safety office described the scene: “The floods were above head height in some areas,” adding that hundreds of residents had to be rescued as waters surged.
As of Monday, more than 300 individuals were taking shelter in evacuation camps, with local officials noting that floodwaters were slow to recede in the city of 210,000 residents.
Further damage was reported in Cebu, where two landslides on Sunday resulted in two fatalities and damaged five homes, according to local disaster officials.
The storm also created turmoil in Manila Bay, where strong currents and high waves tossed a barge and an oil tanker onto the seawall, and another barge ran adrift. A collision between a tugboat and a small passenger ship resulted in a fire onboard, but all 18 crew members were rescued by the coast guard.
With sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (53 miles per hour), Yagi struck the municipality of Casiguran northeast of Manila on Monday afternoon. The storm is expected to move through northern Luzon overnight before exiting over the South China Sea early Tuesday. The weather service has cautioned of a “minimal to moderate risk” of significant coastal waves impacting seaside communities in the region.
The Philippines, situated in a typhoon-prone area, faces about 20 major storms each year, often leading to significant destruction and loss of life. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of Yagi, the resilience of its communities will once again be put to the test.