Storm in the Philippines: Manila threatened, at least 45 dead

Steph Deschamps  / October 29, 2022

Widespread flooding and landslides are expected in the capital. More than 7,000 people were evacuated before the arrival of the storm.

Tropical storm Nalgae, which hit the Philippines on Saturday, is now threatening the capital Manila after killing at least 45 people in floods and landslides in the archipelago, according to a revised toll. A previous report of the civil protection of the country made report of 72 deaths.

The country’s civil defense officials acknowledged that rescue teams sent to the flooded south of the country on Friday made mistakes in their counts, leading to some deaths being recorded twice.

Another five people died elsewhere in the country, said the head of the national civil defense, bringing the new count to 45 dead.

Nalgae, expected since Thursday, finally hit Saturday at dawn the main island of the Philippines, Luzon, accompanied by winds up to 95 km / h, an hour after making landfall on the sparsely inhabited island of Catanduanes. Rescuers are now focusing their efforts on the village of Kusiong, where dozens of bodies were found Friday.

Heavy rains began Thursday night in the region. The floodwaters invaded several towns and villages on the island of Mindanao, carrying trees, stones and mud in their path. Some 500 houses were destroyed.

But Nalgae could also affect the capital Manila, the Philippine weather service warned.

“Widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides” are expected in the capital of 13 million people, the bulletin said. There is “minimal to moderate risk of storms” or huge waves hitting coastal areas.

Residents living in or near the storm’s path are advised to stay in their homes.

More than 7,000 people were evacuated before the storm arrived, according to the civil defense office. On average, 20 typhoons and storms hit the Philippines each year, killing people and livestock in their path, and devastating farms, homes, roads and bridges, although the south is rarely affected.

As the world is affected by global warming, storms and typhoons become more powerful, scientists warn.

In late September, Typhoon Noru killed at least 10 people in the Philippines, including five rescue workers. Tropical storm Megi, which hit the country in April, killed at least 148 people and caused huge landslides.