President Ferdinand Marcos reported on Saturday that rescue operations are ongoing after severe flooding and landslides caused by the powerful storm Trami devastated several regions of the Philippines. Many areas remain isolated as emergency teams work relentlessly to reach those affected.
Unprecedented Rainfall and Widespread Destruction
Inspecting the worst-hit areas southeast of Manila, Marcos highlighted the severity of the storm, which delivered one to two months’ worth of rain within 24 hours. “The water was just too much,” he remarked, emphasizing the scale of the disaster.
While rescue operations continue, access to many areas remains limited due to debris and damaged infrastructure. Marcos announced plans for a large-scale flood control initiative to address the increasing climate-related risks facing the country.
The storm moved away from northwestern Philippines on Friday but left a tragic toll, with at least 85 confirmed deaths and 41 people still missing. The government’s disaster-response agency warned that the death toll could rise as more reports come in from previously unreachable locations.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
In Talisay, Batangas province, rescue teams equipped with heavy machinery and sniffer dogs are working to recover survivors and locate the missing. Among those searching is a father desperately hoping for news of his 14-year-old daughter. Tragically, rescuers have already recovered several victims from the mudslides in the village of Sampaloc.
At a local community center, over a dozen white coffins hold the remains of individuals recovered from the mud. Meanwhile, around five million people were affected by the storm, with nearly half a million taking refuge in over 6,300 emergency shelters across several provinces.
Government Response and Concerns Over Storm’s Return
During an emergency Cabinet meeting, Marcos expressed concern over the storm’s potential return next week due to high-pressure winds in the South China Sea. If the storm stays on its current course, it may reach Vietnam over the weekend.
In response to the disaster, schools and government offices have been closed for three days, and inter-island ferry services have been suspended, leaving many stranded.
As weather conditions improved in some areas on Saturday, clean-up efforts began. However, the country remains on high alert, with memories of Typhoon Haiyan’s devastation in 2013—when over 7,300 people were reported dead or missing—still vivid in the nation’s collective memory.
Marcos pledged continued government support to those affected, emphasizing the urgency of preparing the nation for increasingly severe weather events driven by climate change.