A tropical storm approaching the east of the Philippines has caused torrential rains, flooding cities and towns, and leaving at least nine people dead on Wednesday. The massive floods have trapped residents, some of whom were on rooftops, prompting desperate rescue calls, according to authorities.
The government has closed schools and public offices on the main island of Luzon, except for those necessary to coordinate the disaster response. This measure aims to safeguard millions of people as Tropical Storm Trami moves in from the Pacific.
With maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h and gusts of 71 km/h, the storm was approximately 175 km east of Echague, in the province of Isabela, before making landfall on the northwest coast. At least nine deaths and seven missing persons have been reported amidst the devastation.
State meteorologists warn that Trami's wide band of rainfall could bring up to 20 centimeters of water in a single day to the most vulnerable provinces along its path. The storm is expected to reach the coast of Isabela and move inward through the Luzon mountain range, valleys, and plains before heading toward the South China Sea in the coming days.
In response, thousands of residents have been evacuated to emergency shelters in northeastern provinces, while storm alerts have been issued in over two dozen provinces in the north and central regions, including the capital, Manila, which may be affected by heavy rains.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. canceled his commitments and called an emergency meeting to address disaster mitigation efforts, Communications Secretary César Chávez highlighted. During the meeting, it was announced that armed forces would use planes and boats for evacuations and disaster response. Additionally, friendly countries like Singapore may provide additional assistance if air transport is required.
Former Vice President Leni Robredo reported in a Facebook post that many residents have become trapped on rooftops due to flooding and that rescue trucks have faced difficulties reaching them. The situation remains tense, and authorities are preparing for what lies ahead amid the threat of Storm Trami.
