Hanoi (VNA) – Flash floods have hit several regions in the Philippines as tropical storm Trami brought heavy rains and plunged many areas without power, affecting over 380,000 people, local authorities reported on October 23.
As of noon on the same day, the storm was approaching the country's main island, Luzon, with sustained winds of 85 km/h and gusts up to 105 km/h. Its centre was located over 200 km east of Aurora province.
Heavy rain has turned streets into rivers, flooding entire villages, residential areas, shopping centers, and rice fields, particularly in the Bicol region, southeast of Manila.
Over 32,000 people in the northern region were evacuated to more than 2,500 shelters, with rescue teams struggling to reach isolated areas due to strong flood currents.
In Naga city, almost 300 out of 600 villages are completely submerged. President Ferdinand Marcos expressed concern over the worsening situation during an emergency meeting. The national weather service predicts that Trami will make landfall in Isabela or northern Aurora late on October 23 or early October 24.
The Philippines typically faces around 20 typhoons or tropical storms annually, which often result in significant economic damage and loss of life./.
