Typhoon Man-yi made landfall this weekend, resulting in a deadly landslide that claimed at least seven lives, destroyed numerous houses, and displaced large numbers of people in the northern Philippines.
The storm, which has also left three villagers missing, compounded the ongoing crisis caused by multiple back-to-back storms in the region that caused widespread devastation and left affected communities in urgent need of assistance.
Disaster-response officials are investigating whether the deaths of two villagers in eastern Camarines Norte province were directly caused by Typhoon Man-yi. Additionally, a search is underway for a couple and their child whose home was swept away by rampaging rivers in northern Nueva Ecija province.
What Route Is Typhoon Man Yi Taking?
Typhoon Man-yi was among the most powerful of a series of major storms to strike the northern Philippines in less than a month. With sustained winds reaching 125 miles per hour, the storm made landfall in the eastern island province of Catanduanes on Saturday night, causing widespread destruction and compounding the region's ongoing recovery challenges.
More than a million people were affected by Typhoon Man-yi and two preceding storms including Typhoon Usagi, according to the Official of Civil Defense. Among those affected, nearly 700,000 residents were forced to leave their homes, seeking refuge in emergency shelters or staying with relatives while the storms caused widespread destruction and displacement.
Nearly 8,000 houses were reported damaged or destroyed, and more than 100 cities and towns experienced power outages due to toppled electric posts, according to the Civil Defense.
In the worst-hit province of Camarines, officials called for urgent additional assistance after intense winds and rain severely damaged more houses and disrupted essential services. The entire province lost electricity and water supplies, while many areas experienced a loss of cellphone connectivity.
One Calamity After Another
Welfare officials delivered food aid, drinking water, and other relief supplies to affected areas, but much more support will be required in the coming months, according to provincial information officer Camille Gianan. She noted that many villagers would need construction materials to rebuild their homes following the extensive damage caused by the typhoon.
"They have not recovered from the previous storms when the super typhoon hit," Gianan said. "It's been one calamity after another."
At least 26 domestic airports and two international airports were temporarily closed due to Typhoon Man-yi's affect, along with the suspension of interisland ferry and cargo services because of rough seas. These disruptions left thousands of passengers and commuters stranded. However, most transport services have since resumed, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Coast Guard.
What's the Difference Between a Typhoon and a Hurricane?
Typhoons are categorized based on their intensity, starting as tropical storms and moving upward to typhoons or super typhoons based on wind speed. This classification system helps meteorologists assess and communicate the potential affect of these storms.
Since Man-yi hit the Philippines, the country has faced an unprecedented series of six consecutive storms and typhoons over a three-week period, resulting in over 160 fatalities and affecting approximately nine million individuals. The extensive damage to communities, infrastructure, and farmlands has significantly disrupted rice production, a staple food in the country. Consequently, the government is considering increasing rice imports to address potential shortages and stabilize food supply.
In an emergency meeting while Man-yi approached, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked his Cabinet and provincial officials to brace for "the worst-case scenario."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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