Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Kristine, brought severe flooding and landslides to the northeastern Philippines, leaving at least 24 people dead and causing widespread devastation. The storm, which made landfall in Isabela province early Thursday, unleashed torrential rains that flooded entire communities, swept away cars, and left thousands of people stranded, many on rooftops awaiting rescue.
Authorities were forced to shut down schools and government offices across the main island of Luzon for a second consecutive day, with only essential disaster response teams remaining active. The storm, packing sustained winds of 95 kph (59 mph) and gusts of up to 160 kph (99 mph), continued to move westward and was expected to enter the South China Sea by the end of the day, according to state weather forecasters.
Most fatalities occurred in the Bicol region, southeast of Manila, where at least 20 people lost their lives. Heavy rainfall, equivalent to more than two months’ worth in just 24 hours, triggered flash floods that submerged parts of Naga City, trapping residents and vehicles alike. Mudflows from Mayon Volcano in Albay province also buried several cars, complicating rescue efforts. Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon reported that many residents had been rescued, but numerous others remained trapped in floodwaters, highlighting the urgent need for additional rescue equipment, especially motorboats.
Authorities deployed around 1,500 police officers to aid in rescue operations, but the sheer scale of the flooding has overwhelmed local resources. “We can’t rescue them all at once because there are so many, and we need additional motorboats,” Dizon said. Rescuers are also struggling to deliver food and water to those who have been cut off by the floods and landslides, with many areas still inaccessible.
Images from the affected regions show trucks stranded on flooded highways, residents wading through chest-deep water, and houses buried under volcanic ash. In some areas, flash floods turned roads into fast-moving rivers, making it difficult for rescue teams to navigate. Reports indicate that the storm dumped massive amounts of rainfall, exacerbating the situation by hitting during high tide, which intensified the flooding.
The government’s disaster-response agency reported that more than 2 million people have been affected by Tropical Storm Trami. About 75,400 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, seeking shelter in safer areas. Efforts to rescue those stranded on rooftops continued into Thursday, but challenging weather conditions and ongoing floodwaters slowed down relief efforts.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed concern over the devastation and assured the public that all available resources would be utilized to help affected communities. He emphasized the importance of swift action to rescue those in need and deliver essential supplies to isolated areas. The stormy weather and high water levels have made it difficult for emergency teams to reach some of the hardest-hit regions, prolonging the ordeal for many victims.
The Philippines experiences an average of 20 storms and typhoons each year due to its geographical location, making it particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. The devastation caused by Trami has drawn comparisons to Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded and left more than 7,300 people dead or missing. As the storm heads out to sea, authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage and brace for the possibility of further weather disturbances in the coming weeks.
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