Super Typhoon Man-yi, also known locally as Pepito, made landfall over the coastal province of Aurora, Philippines, on November 17, 2024, bringing with it catastrophic winds and heavy rains. With sustained winds reaching up to 185 kilometers per hour (about 115 miles per hour), the storm left destruction in its wake, becoming the sixth significant storm to hit the country within just one month. Reports from local disaster officials have confirmed at least eight fatalities attributed to the typhoon, as it wreaked havoc across various regions.
Despite the government’s early evacuations of almost half a million individuals from high-risk areas, many communities suffered severe consequences. Man-yi caused landslides, flooding, and widespread damage, particularly devastating the northern island of Luzon. A family of seven tragically lost their lives when their home was engulfed by mudslides triggered by intense rainfall from the storm. Another victim was reported—a 72-year-old man killed by fallen power lines during the chaos.
Workers and residents scrambled to clear debris and restore services as aerial photography showcased neighborhoods overwhelmed by storm surges and rain-induced flooding. Footage reveals homes submerged and businesses destroyed, illustrating the magnitude of the disaster faced by the storm-weary nation. Local government units have closed schools and municipal offices to aid recovery efforts, underscoring the ripple effects of the typhoon.
Local grocery stores and markets, already strained by previous storms, faced inventory shortages as people prepared for prolonged disruptions. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of potential hazards from the looming storm, categorized as extremely dangerous and capable of inflicting serious property damage.
Communities across the province of Nueva Vizcaya, where significant evacuation occurred, expressed their fears and struggles stemming from Man-yi’s impact. “The floodwater from the typhoon and from surrounding provinces gushed here,” Danilo Dagdagan, a resident, lamented. Distress over damaged infrastructures and food shortages permeated community sentiment, prompting various local organizations to step in, offering support and assistance.
Super Typhoon Man-yi's emergence is tied to broader climate challenges facing Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, which experiences upwards of 20 typhoons each year. For many residents, the latest storm is another illustration of how the increasing intensity and frequency of storms are pushing vulnerable communities to their limits, particularly as economic growth has already slowed amid earlier storms affecting agriculture and tourism.
Consequently, the national government and various NGOs are mobilizing aid to address the immediate needs of affected families, including food, clean water, and medical supplies. Reminders of the urgent need for climate adaptation and disaster preparedness have surfaced again, highlighting the persistent threats posed by changing weather patterns.
Moving forward, experts warn of the potential for increased weather volatility worldwide and the continuous need for adaptation strategies to mitigate future impacts. While some communities begin to clear the debris and rebuild what was lost, the overarching question remains—how can the Philippines brace itself for the worsening realities of climate change?
Meanwhile, Malaysia and Vietnam are bracing for the storm's second landfall. After battering the Philippines, projections suggest the typhoon may weaken as it crosses the South China Sea. Local residents and authorities are closely watching the situation, prepared for possible evacuations and disruptions.
The aftermath of Super Typhoon Man-yi paints yet another bleak picture of the reality facing communities already wrestling with the impacts of climate change. Emphasizing resilience, those affected strive to recover and raise awareness of the urgent need for global and local strategies to combat the worsening climate crisis. The situation serves as both a call to action and a moment for reflection on climate justice, resilience, and community solidarity amid disaster.
