A Lethal Tropical Storm Trami Hits the Northwest
On the 25th of October, 2024, tropical storm Trami struck the north western regions of the Philippines with devastating implications. The unrelenting rains and ferocious winds of this storm tore its way through the lowlands and up the steep slopes of the innermost Cordilleras creating flooding and landslides that have so far resulted in the deaths of 81 people 34 others are still missing. This disaster was one of the most deadly and destructive storms in the Southeast Asian archipelago, of which there has been so many this year.
Rising Casualties and Dry Rescue Efforts
With the passing of the storm, the confirmed number of casualties kept on growing on the upper side, lying above 115 by 26th October. President Ferdinand Marcos observed that the situation on the ground was bad as there were still a lot of places which were cut off and people were still trapped in those areas needing help. Such emergency police, firefighters and rescue teams, and other personnel have also not spared any efforts in searching for the missing persons by using backhoes and sniffer dogs to dig through and remove the dangerous piles of mud, rocks, and trees.
Extensive Loss and Collapse of Facilities
The amount of rain in which some areas received between one to two months’ worth of rainfall within 24 hours, was beyond the capacity of the flood control measures in place in the region. In the statement of President Marcos, he stressed that the storm’s effects were unprecedented, explaining that the water content was simply “too much” for any existing systems. He promised however that some form of flood control planning work will take place under his presidency as a response to the increased threats as a result of climate change.
Mass Displacement and Disruption
More than 4.2 million individuals were affected by the storm’s trajectory, with nearly 500, 000 people displaced in more than 6,400 emergency evacuation centers established in various provinces. Schools and government operations remained shut for three days in a row and inter-island ferry services were also suspended as a result, leaving thousands of passengers frustrated at the docks.
Worry about Possible U-Turn and other Threats
During an emergency Cabinet meeting, President Marcos worried about the information suggesting that Tropical Storm Trami might do a U-turn at the South China Sea and would have an effect on the neighboring country, Vietnam, during the weekend. As the Philippines records almost twenty storms and typhoons annually, it has been found that the government admitted the challenge of the calamities making the country to enhance its disaster preparedness and response systems.
Genre: World News
Tags: #Natural Disaster #Climate Change #Humanitarian Crisis #Emergency Response #Infrastructure Resilience
