Philippine officials announced on Saturday, December 23, that at least 75 people have died and 58 are missing following a tropical storm that caused flooding and landslides in the southern part of the country. According to the Associated Press, the highest casualties from Tropical Storm 'Tembin' occurred in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and the Zamboanga Peninsula. The Philippines faces about twenty storms annually, making it one of the most vulnerable countries in this regard. The report adds that rescue operations are underway to assist 30 residents of the village of Anonogan in Zamboanga, where five bodies have been recovered from the water. Bong Eding, the mayor of the city of Sibuko in this province, stated, 'The flood rushed down the mountain at full speed, carrying people and homes with it. This is sad news as Christmas is just a few days away, but these events are beyond our control.' He attributed the disaster to deforestation at the foot of the surrounding mountains, which has been ongoing for years, and said he and other officials are trying to stop such activities. The remaining casualties were in Lanao del Norte, where police and local officials reported that floodwaters rushing down from a mountain swept away several houses along the river and a village. The Associated Press reports that thousands of villagers have sought refuge in temporary shelters, and many others are stranded after a ban on sea travel and flights at airports and ports. On Thursday, an inter-island ship in the northern province of Quezon sank after being hit by strong winds and heavy waves, resulting in at least five deaths, while over 250 passengers and crew were rescued. Tropical Storm Tembin, known locally as 'Vinta,' generated winds of 80 kilometers per hour, which intensified to 95 kilometers. It is expected to move from southern Philippines towards the South China Sea and Vietnam. Last week, another tropical storm left over 50 dead and 31 missing, damaging 10,000 homes in central Philippines. Among the areas affected by Tembin was the coastal city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur, which was still recovering from a five-month siege by the Islamic State (ISIS) that resulted in over a thousand deaths.
Tropical Storm 'Tembin' Leaves at Least 75 Dead in the Philippines
Tropical Storm Tembin has caused at least 75 deaths and left 58 missing in the Philippines, particularly affecting the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. The storm has led to significant flooding and landslides, prompting rescue operations and highlighting the country's vulnerability to natural disasters.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Tropical Storm Tembin has resulted in at least 75 deaths and 58 missing persons in the Philippines, primarily due to flooding and landslides in southern provinces. Rescue operations are ongoing as thousands seek refuge in temporary shelters.
- The storm generated winds of up to 95 kilometers per hour.
- The Philippines is highly vulnerable to tropical storms, facing about twenty each year.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, facing numerous tropical storms each year, which are often exacerbated by environmental degradation.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
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