TALISAY, Philippines—The devastation caused by Tropical Storm Trami in the Philippines has resulted in nearly 130 casualties and missing individuals. President Ferdinand Marcos expressed concern on Saturday, stating that many areas are still cut off and in need of rescue operations.
Trami moved away from the northwestern Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction with at least 85 confirmed deaths and 41 individuals still unaccounted for. The death toll is expected to rise as more reports come in from isolated regions.
In Talisay, Batangas province, rescue teams, including police, firefighters, and search dogs, worked tirelessly to locate the remaining missing persons. A father, waiting anxiously for news about his missing daughter, identified her remains with tears in his eyes. The authorities are conducting identity checks to confirm the villager’s identity.
In a local gym, white coffins were lined up, holding the bodies of those found in the debris that swept through Talisay’s Sampaloc village.
Related Stories
President Marcos highlighted the unprecedented amount of rainfall brought by the storm, which overwhelmed flood defenses in the affected provinces.
“The water was just too much,” Marcos remarked, emphasizing the ongoing rescue efforts and the challenges posed by flooded areas that are inaccessible even to large vehicles.
Over 5 million individuals were within Trami’s path, with nearly half a million seeking refuge in emergency shelters across various provinces.
During an emergency meeting, concerns were raised about the storm potentially making a U-turn next week due to high-pressure winds in the South China Sea. The storm’s trajectory could impact Vietnam if it maintains its current path.
Schools and government offices were closed for safety reasons, and inter-island ferry services were suspended, leaving many stranded. While the weather has improved in some areas, the cleanup efforts are ongoing.
The Philippines faces around 20 storms and typhoons annually due to its geographical location. The devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of these natural disasters.
