Tropical Storm Trami has unleashed chaos across the Philippines, flooding numerous regions and leading to widespread power outages. On Wednesday, authorities reported up to 14 confirmed deaths as the storm's heavy rains inundated both urban and rural areas, displacing thousands.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) labeled Trami as the 11th typhoon of the year, a significant milestone considering the archipelago typically braces for around 20 storms annually. By early Wednesday, Trami, located about 310 kilometers east of Aurora province, was packing winds of 85 kilometers per hour (53 miles per hour) and gusts reaching up to 105 kilometers per hour (65 miles per hour). The storm was projected to make landfall on Luzon’s northeastern coast late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Images and videos circulating on social media have painted a dire picture of the chaos. Floodwaters were seen sweeping away vehicles, and reports emerged of residents stranded on rooftops waiting for rescue as torrential downpours persisted. Jorize Rivera, a resident from Naga City, described her neighborhood as being completely underwater, stating, “We still do not have electricity,” highlighting the compounded struggles many face during this disaster.
Regions most severely affected include Albay and Camarines Sur. Emergency services have struggled to respond to the volume of calls for assistance, with many people marooned as the storm dropped over 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) of rain within hours, leading to rapid flooding and landslides in mountainous areas. The Office of Civil Defense reported extensive damage, with entire neighborhoods submerged, complicate rescue efforts.
Former Vice President Leni Robredo, who lives near the hardest-hit areas, highlighted the impacts on the ground, lamenting, “People have been stuck on roofs of their houses for several hours now.” Local legislator Luis Raymund Villafuerte from Camarines Sur has called for national support, stating the local authorities lack adequate resources to manage the scale of the disaster. He noted, “We only have 50 rescue boats; we need at least 200 more,” reflecting the urgent needs of the struggling regions.
Education and public services took immediate hits as authorities closed schools and government offices throughout Luzon to safeguard citizens. Thousands of passengers found themselves stranded at various seaports, with marine transport severely disrupted by the storm’s impending landfall.
Some neighborhoods reported rising floodwaters reaching up to 3 meters (approximately 10 feet), prompting urgent evacuations. Officials indicated they received multiple requests for rescue operations, but many rescue boats could not navigate the floodwaters. The provincial governor of Quezon emphasized the need for additional personnel and equipment to manage the situation effectively.
While damage assessments are underway, the government is preparing for continued rain and wind as Trami traverses the country, with weather officials cautioning of possible landslides. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has halted his appointments to focus on government disaster response efforts, indicating the severity of the storm's impact.
Climate experts warn this year’s frequency of tropical storms could be linked to broader global climate patterns, making strategies for disaster response even more urgent. Meanwhile, residents like Rivera continue to battle the relentless rains and rising waters as the nation braces for the aftermath of Tropical Storm Trami.
