Philippine Floods Claim Five Lives
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Synopsis
The recent flash floods in Palawan province have led to a tragic death toll of five, with local authorities confirming the ongoing impact of severe rainfall. Rescuers are working tirelessly to assist affected families, and the situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the region due to tropical storms.
Key Takeaways
- Fatalities in Palawan floods increased to five.
- Over 2,000 families have evacuated due to flooding.
- 341 mm of rain fell in just 24 hours.
- Seven survivors are recovering in a local hospital.
- Philippines faces about 20 storms annually.
Manila, Feb 11 (NationPress) The number of fatalities resulting from flash floods triggered by continuous rainfall in Palawan province in the southwestern Philippines has risen to five, according to local officials on Tuesday.
Jerry Alili, head of the Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, reported that rescuers discovered two bodies of individuals who were missing after floodwaters carried away their van, which was transporting 12 people, on Sunday night, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
On Monday, the remains of three additional victims were located, while seven passengers were successfully rescued and are currently recovering in a local hospital, local authorities stated.
Palawan province experienced its most significant 24-hour rainfall, influenced by a shear line affecting the region, local media noted.
“We recorded 341 millimeters of rain within a single day. This amount is 12 times the typical monthly rainfall,” stated Alili.
As a result of widespread flooding, Alili indicated that over 2,000 families had to evacuate and are currently residing in temporary shelters managed by the government.
Earlier in 2024, severe flooding and landslides due to tropical storm Trami in the Philippines resulted in 130 fatalities and numerous reports of missing individuals, while many regions remained cut off with people awaiting rescue.
More than five million individuals were affected by the storm, including nearly half a million who sought refuge in over 6,300 emergency shelters across various provinces, according to reports from government agencies.
Annually, approximately 20 storms and typhoons strike the Philippines, a Southeast Asian archipelago situated between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful recorded tropical cyclones, resulted in over 7,300 deaths or missing persons and devastated entire communities.
