At least 72 dead in Philippines after tropical storm

Days of heavy rain have triggered flooding and landslides that have buried homes under mud and debris. According to the weather service, the tropical storm is moving in a west-northwest direction. The authorities issued storm warnings for more than 40 provinces as well as for the capital region of Manila.

Rescue workers in Maguindanao province search for survivors.

Pcg / Handout / EPO

(tla./dpa/Bloomberg) The death toll from tropical storm Nalgae in the southern Philippines has risen to at least 72. The storm, locally dubbed “Paeng,” unleashed days of torrential rain earlier this week, triggering flooding and landslides and burying homes under mud and rubble.

The five provinces of the autonomous region of Bangsamoro in Muslim Mindanao in the south of the country are particularly affected. Most of the victims were people swept away by the raging floodwaters or buried by mudslides, the government’s Disaster Management Office said.

The tropical storm, which will bring sustained winds of up to 95 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 160 kilometers per hour, will continue to move in a west-northwest direction across Luzon, according to the state weather agency. The center of the storm is expected to cross the Bicol region, where it made landfall early Saturday, before crossing Greater Manila and surrounding provinces by Sunday morning, the bureau added.

The authorities issued storm warnings for more than 40 provinces as well as for the capital region of Manila. Dozens of domestic flights have been canceled and shipping has been halted across much of the country.

The city of Manila closed its cemeteries on Friday due to the weather, which could disrupt All Saints’ Day celebrations in this predominantly Catholic country. Millions of Filipinos traditionally visit the graves of their loved ones on this day.

The Philippines is one of the most prone to natural disasters in the world. An average of 20 hurricanes hit the country every year.

President Bongbong Marcos tweeted that he is in touch with all government agencies to ensure sufficient support is provided to the affected areas.


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