Tropical Storm Trami Devastates Philippines with Severe Flooding and Landslides

Tropical Storm Trami has brought catastrophic flooding and landslides to the Philippines, resulting in a significant loss of life and widespread disruption. As of Thursday, the storm has claimed at least 26 lives, with the majority of fatalities occurring in the Bicol region and adjacent Quezon province due to drowning incidents and flash flooding.

The storm, locally known as Kristine, made landfall in the northeastern province of Isabela shortly after midnight on Thursday. It brought sustained winds of up to 59 mph and gusts reaching 99 mph, according to meteorological officials. The heavy rainfall, equivalent to two months’ worth in just 24 hours, submerged extensive areas in both central and northern parts of the country.

The province of Albay was particularly hard hit, with reports indicating that some neighborhoods were submerged in neck-deep water. In Quezon province, over 7,000 individuals were evacuated, and the Office of Civil Defense confirmed at least one fatality by Wednesday.

The government has taken extensive measures to address the crisis, closing schools and offices across the main island of Luzon for the second consecutive day to ensure public safety. Approximately 1,500 police officers have been assigned to disaster response efforts, with a focus on rescuing villagers trapped by floodwaters. However, the overwhelming number of those in need has posed significant challenges to rescue operations.

The storm has impacted over 2 million individuals, with 75,400 residents displaced from their homes and seeking refuge in safer locations. The adverse weather conditions have complicated relief operations, and authorities are urgently seeking additional resources, including motorboats, to aid in the rescue efforts.

Tropical Storm Trami is projected to traverse the northern Philippines before heading westward towards Vietnam and Hainan, a Chinese island, according to storm tracking data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.