For the past few days, Tropical Storm “Trami” has been striking the northeastern part of the Philippines, causing floods and landslides in areas like Bicol Region in southeastern Luzon Island. The current death toll stands at least 26 people, with over 150,000 residents forced to evacuate their homes.
According to the Philippine meteorological department, “Trami” made landfall in Isabela Province at 12:30 a.m. on October 24 as a strong tropical storm. By dawn, it reached Aguinaldo town in Ifugao Province, with sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching up to 160 kilometers per hour. The storm is projected to continue westward and is expected to enter the eastern South China Sea later today.
Prior to its landfall, “Trami” had already brought heavy rainfall to northern Luzon Island and several provinces in the Philippines, resulting in floods, landslides, and widespread power outages. Many streets turned into rivers, some areas reaching chest-deep water levels, villages being submerged, and residents climbing onto rooftops awaiting rescue. Numerous vehicles were swept away by floodwaters, while others were buried under volcanic mud dislodged by heavy rains.
Philippine authorities have reported that as of now, “Trami” has claimed at least 26 lives, mostly in severely affected areas like Bicol and nearby Quezon province where drowning incidents occurred. With updates from affected regions still coming in, the death toll is expected to rise further.
Local authorities have mobilized about 1,500 police officers and numerous motorboats for rescue operations in the affected areas. The military has also deployed aircraft and ships to assist in evacuation and relief efforts. However, the persistent rainfall has made rescue operations more challenging.
Government disaster response agencies estimate that over two million people have been affected by the storm, with more than 163,000 individuals forced to evacuate to safer locations.
Furthermore, government offices at all levels in Luzon Island have suspended operations for two consecutive days, maintaining only essential disaster relief services. All schools have been closed, and maritime traffic has been significantly disrupted. Ferry services have been halted, and fishing boats are prohibited from setting sail, leaving thousands of passengers and crew members stranded in ports. At least a dozen domestic flights nationwide have been canceled. The central bank has suspended monetary transactions for two consecutive days, while the stock market continues to operate as usual.