Key Takeaways:
– Nearly 130 people are dead or missing due to the devastating impact of Tropical weathTrami in the Philippines.
– The President noted that many areas were still isolated, with people trapped and in need of rescue.
– Government plans to start work on a significant flood control project to handle threats related to climate change.
– Over 5 million people were in the storm’s trajectory, with nearly half a million seeking refuge in over 6,300 emergency shelters.
Tropical Storm Trami’s Devastation
One of the Philippines’ deadliest and most damaging storms this year, Tropical Storm Trami, has led to an alarming death toll of nearly 130. The storm, which struck the nation’s northwestern region, has left around 85 individuals dead and 41 others missing. As per the government’s disaster-response agency, the mortality count is expected to surge as reports from remote areas begin to emerge.
Talisay: A Grieving Town
In the lakeside town of Talisay, situated in Batangas province, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded as rescue personnel, including police and firefighters, uncovered the last two missing villagers. One of the victims’ fathers, desperately seeking information on his missing 14-year-old daughter, broke down as her remains were placed in a black bag by the rescuers.
Confirmation of identities remains a hurdle, influenced by the tragedy’s magnitude, rendering quick identification difficult. Heartache infiltrated further when white coffins, containing the bodies of the victims, were laid side by side in a nearby basketball gym, a stark testament to the gut-wrenching impact of the landslides.
President Marcos’ Rescue Plan
President Ferdinand Marcos acknowledged the destructive power of this storm, noting that the considerable volume of rainfall had exceeded the country’s flood controls. Marcos stated that the waters were just too much. He further added that rescue operations are far from over, as numerous areas still remain flooded and inaccessible to large vehicles. In response to this catastrophe, Marcos’s administration intends to initiate a significant flood control project to handle future flooding caused by climate change.
Millions in the Storm’s Path
The storm, the 11th to hit the Philippines this year, could potentially make a U-turn next week due to high-pressure winds in the South China Sea, directly affecting over 5 million people. This includes nearly half a million who have fled to more than 6,300 emergency shelters in several provinces as a precaution. Concerns over the imminent storm threat prompted the shutdown of schools and government offices for the third consecutive day.
A Recurring Threat
Each year, the Philippines experiences an onslaught of around 20 storms and typhoons due to its geographical location between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. The nation is still recovering from the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which resulted in over 7,300 casualties. The recent aftermath of Tropical Storm Trami serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to bolster the country’s disaster-response measures and adaptation strategies to climate change threats.