(CLO) Heavy rains from approaching Typhoon Trami have caused widespread flooding in northeastern provinces of the Philippines, killing at least 14 people, officials said Wednesday.
The state weather agency said in its 8 a.m. Thursday weather bulletin that Trami, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 160 kilometers per hour, was moving west through Isabela province toward the South China Sea.
The storm, known locally as Kristine, has killed at least 14 people as it barreled toward the Philippines, including 12 in the city of Naga, officials said Wednesday. Severe flooding has left many people stranded on rooftops and prompted urgent calls for relief.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel rescue residents after rising floodwaters in Bicol, Philippines on October 23, 2024. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
The Philippine government has closed public schools and government offices - except those urgently needed for disaster response - across the main island of Luzon to protect millions of people as Typhoon Trami approaches from the Pacific Ocean.
Thousands of people have fled their homes in the central Bicol region as floodwaters rose to the roofs of their wooden houses. The central bank has suspended foreign exchange trading and currency operations.
The coast guard has been rescuing people from flooded villages in the eastern provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and outlying areas since Tuesday, but provincial authorities said the number of rescue boats and personnel was insufficient.
A truck submerged in mud caused by heavy flooding during Typhoon Trami in Albay province, Philippines on October 23, 2024. Photo: AP
Thousands of villagers have been evacuated to emergency shelters in northeastern provinces. Storm warnings have been issued for more than 30 northern and central provinces, including the capital Manila, which is not in the storm’s direct path but could see heavy rains. In Quezon province, Governor Angelina Tan said flooding in some areas was as high as 3 meters (10 feet) and at least 8,000 villagers had been evacuated.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. canceled all his appointments on Wednesday and convened an emergency meeting to discuss disaster mitigation efforts, Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez said.
About 20 typhoons and tropical storms hit the Philippines each year. The archipelago also sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur frequently, making the Southeast Asian nation one of the most disaster-prone in the world.
Forecasted path of Typhoon Trami. Source: NCHMF
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), at 7:00 a.m. on October 24, storm TRAMI (Tra Mi in Vietnamese) was centered at approximately 17.4 degrees North latitude; 121.3 degrees East longitude, on the mainland north of Luzon Island (Philippines). The strongest wind near the storm center was level 9 (75-88 km/h), gusting to level 11. Moving in the West Northwest direction, at a speed of 15-20 km/h.
Storm development warning (from 72 to 120 hours): From the next 72 to 120 hours, the storm will move slowly in the West Southwest direction, about 10km per hour, then it may change direction to the South Southwest.
The eastern sea area of the North East Sea has strong winds of level 6-7, then increasing to level 8, near the storm center, level 9-10 (89-102km/h), gusting to level 12, waves 3.0-5.0m high, near the storm center 5.0-7.0m; very rough seas.
Ships operating in the above mentioned dangerous areas are likely to be affected by storms, whirlwinds, strong winds and large waves.
Huy Hoang (according to AP, Reuters)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bao-trami-gay-ngap-lut-nghiem-trong-o-philippines-khien-it-nhat-14-nguoi-thiet-mang-post318185.html
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