Manila, Philippines — The northern Philippines grappled with the aftermath of Typhoon Man-yi, which left at least seven dead in a landslide, ravaged numerous homes, and displaced thousands, compounding challenges from recent severe storms. Man-yi, recognized as one of the severest among six major storms to hit the region in under a month, forcefully struck the eastern island province of Catanduanes late Saturday with winds reaching up to 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour.
During a visit to Manila, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and extended his condolences. Austin also pledged an additional $1 million in humanitarian aid and authorized U.S. troops to assist Filipino forces in disaster relief efforts. This international support underscores the gravity of the situation faced by the typhoon-stricken region.
In the early hours of Monday, heavy rains and violent winds caused a landslide in Ambaguio, a town situated within Nueva Vizcaya province. The onslaught led to a tragic loss of life when a house was completely buried, claiming seven lives, including children, and injuring three others. Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr. confirmed the details and noted ongoing efforts by army, police, and local volunteers to find three more individuals feared trapped under debris.
Disaster response teams are further assessing other casualties potentially linked to the typhoon, including two deaths from a motorcycle accident and another from electrocution. Searches are also active for a family of three reportedly swept away by floodwaters in Nueva Ecija province.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, over a million individuals have been affected by Man-yi and preceding storms, with close to 700,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters or with relatives. Infrastructure damage was extensive, with nearly 8,000 homes reported damaged or destroyed and widespread power outages impacting more than 100 cities and towns.
Camarines Province, among the hardest hit, has reported severe structural damage. Local officials, including provincial information officer Camille Gianan, urgently appealed for more assistance as many communities remain without electricity, water, and reliable communication. Gianan emphasized the immediate need for construction materials to rebuild homes.
The consecutive severe weather events over the past few weeks have left a devastating mark on Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island, killing over 160 people and affecting nine million others. The significant damage to communities, infrastructure, and agricultural lands has prompted discussions on the necessity to import rice, a key staple in the local diet.
As Man-yi approached, an emergency meeting led by President Marcos discussed preparations for the worst-case scenario. The storm’s impact resulted in the temporary closure of at least 26 domestic and two international airports, while rough seas halted ferry and cargo services, stranding thousands.
Help from international partners, including the U.S., along with Southeast Asian neighbors like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, has been instrumental in bolstering the local disaster response systems. This aid has been crucial considering the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters, with about 20 typhoons and storms hitting annually, alongside frequent earthquakes and active volcanoes.