Storm Triggers Deadly Floods and Landslides in Philippines, Killing at Least 14

Photo : AP

A severe storm unleashed torrential rains and triggered landslides across northern regions of the Philippines, leading to at least 14 fatalities and causing widespread disruption. The storm, named Tropical Storm Yagi, struck Casiguran town in the northeastern province of Aurora on Monday afternoon, with sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching 105 kph, according to the weather bureau. Locally, the storm is known as Enteng.

As the storm advanced northwestward at a speed of 20 kph, it gained strength and is expected to intensify further, potentially becoming a typhoon before moving toward southern China in the next couple of days.

The impact of the storm was severe. In Antipolo city, Rizal province, just west of the capital, a landslide demolished two small shanties on a hillside, killing at least three people, including a pregnant woman. Additionally, four villagers drowned in swollen creeks. Enrilito Bernardo Jr., Antipolo’s disaster-mitigation officer, reported that the creeks overflowed and the hillside collapsed due to the heavy rainfall.

Elsewhere, four individuals lost their lives in separate landslides in central Cebu city and Northern Samar province. In the eastern city of Naga, three more deaths were reported—two by drowning and one by electrocution.

In response to the storm, authorities have issued warnings across a vast area of Luzon, the Philippines’ most populous region. Metropolitan Manila has seen the suspension of school classes and most government work due to the adverse weather conditions. Along the Marikina River’s crowded banks in eastern Manila, a siren was activated early in the day to alert residents about potential evacuations as river water levels rose.

In Northern Samar province, coast guard personnel used ropes to evacuate 40 villagers from two inundated villages. The storm has also led to the temporary halt of sea travel at several ports, leaving approximately 2,400 ferry passengers and cargo workers stranded. Additionally, nearly two dozen domestic flights were canceled.

Heavy rains have caused water levels to rise close to the spilling point at Ipo Dam in Bulacan province, north of Manila. Authorities have planned to release a small amount of water later in the day to prevent any threat to downstream communities.

The Philippines, situated in the "Pacific Ring of Fire," is highly susceptible to natural disasters. The country experiences about 20 typhoons and storms annually. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, devastated the central Philippines, resulting in over 7,300 deaths or missing persons, extensive damage to infrastructure, and displacement of more than 5 million people.

As the storm progresses, efforts are underway to manage the immediate impacts and prepare for any further developments in the coming days.

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