Tropical Storm Trami Forces 150,000 to Evacuate, 26 Dead in the Philippines

• Oct 25, 2024

The Philippines is reeling from the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which has claimed the lives of at least 26 people and forced over 150,000 residents to flee their homes. The storm made landfall on the northeastern Luzon coast, bringing relentless rain, widespread flooding, and triggering landslides across the region. With sustained winds reaching 95 kilometers per hour (59 miles per hour), Trami continued westward through the mountainous Cordillera area, headed toward the South China Sea.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the storm is expected to intensify rainfall, leading to further flooding, landslides, and potential storm surges, especially in the northern provinces. In its latest report at 11 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), PAGASA warned that northern Luzon and surrounding areas should brace for additional severe weather conditions in the coming hours.

The hardest-hit area so far has been the central Bicol region, where landslides and severe flooding have led to significant casualties. In Naga City, 14 people were confirmed dead on Thursday. Meanwhile, Trami first touched down in Divilacan, a town in the northeastern province of Isabela, where disaster response chief Ezekiel Chavez reported no fatalities but continued concern for local infrastructure and resident safety.

In response to the worsening conditions, the government has ordered the closure of schools and businesses across affected regions. The civil defense office reports that over 163,000 individuals are currently taking refuge in evacuation centers, with the majority concentrated in the Bicol region. Floodwaters have reached alarming levels, rising as high as rooftops in some areas, prompting ongoing rescue and evacuation efforts to ensure resident safety.

The storm has also disrupted air travel, with the civil aviation authority canceling more than a dozen flights. Financial operations are impacted as well; the central bank has suspended foreign exchange trading and other monetary activities for the second day in a row.

The Philippines, which experiences an average of 20 tropical storms each year, frequently faces severe consequences from these weather events. Many storms bring extreme rainfall, powerful winds, and, in mountainous and coastal areas, deadly landslides.