MANILA, Philippines — A powerful typhoon, Man-yi, swept through the northern Philippines, resulting in a tragic landslide that claimed seven lives, including children, and destructed numerous homes. This storm further exacerbated a critical situation arising from several severe storms hitting the region in recent weeks, officials reported on Monday.
Man-yi, which crossed over the eastern island of Catanduanes late Saturday, was one of the strongest in a series of six major storms to impact the area in under a month, with wind speeds reaching up to 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour. The typhoon’s severe rains and winds triggered a landslide in Ambaguio, a town in Nueva Vizcaya province, early on Monday, burying a household and resulting in numerous casualties and injuries, said Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr., a regional police chief.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, conveyed his condolences and announced an additional $1 million in humanitarian aid for the victims of the typhoon. Austin also confirmed that U.S. troops are authorized to assist Filipino forces in providing critical aid.
The devastation inflicted by Typhoon Man-yi mirrors some of the worst impacts of this year’s season, with more than a million people affected and nearly 700,000 displaced to shelters or the homes of relatives. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that nearly 8,000 homes were either damaged or destroyed, and over 100 municipalities faced blackouts due to fallen electric poles.
The response efforts in flood-hit provinces like Camarines were desperate, with local officials calling for more assistance. Infrastructural damages have disrupted electricity and water supplies, greatly diminishing the quality of life for many residents. “We hadn’t even recovered from the previous calamities when this super typhoon hit us,” said Camille Gianan, a provincial information officer, highlighting the compounding challenges faced by the communities.
Man-yi also disrupted key transportation services, temporarily shutting down at least 26 domestic and two international airports. Ferry and cargo services were suspended, stranding thousands. Most transportation services have since resumed under the oversight of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the local coast guard.
The international community, including the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, has rallied to provide support, dispatching cargo aircraft and other aid to bolster local disaster-response capabilities. This international aid comes as a relief to the Philippine disaster-response agencies, which were already stretched thin managing the aftermath of earlier storms, including Trami, which itself was devastating.
The frequency and intensity of storms like Man-yi highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the Philippines, which annually contends with about 20 typhoons and storms. The geographic and climatic conditions of the country also expose it to frequent earthquakes and active volcanism, marking it as one of the most disaster-prone areas globally.
As the community grapples with the immediate impacts of Typhoon Man-yi, the focus is gradually shifting to recovery and rebuilding, tasks that will require significant resources and time. The repeated nature of these calamities underscores the pressing need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure to mitigate future impacts on this vulnerable region.