Manila: Incessant rains brought by tropical storm Trami (local name: Kristine) kicked off landslides and severe flooding, leaving damage to property and infrastructure as it brushed the Bicol peninsula overnight on Tuesday.
About 3 million people in the typhoon-hit areas are without power, and parts of the national highway were turned into water-logged roads.
The storm, currently hovering in the western Pacific, is predicted to pivot to the northwest on Wednesday, potentially making a 'direct hit' on the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan and the Ilocos region, according to Pagasa weather bureau.
It is predicted to reach severe tropical storm category on Wednesday and may make landfall in north-eastern Luzon. On Friday, forecasters predict that Trami will reach typhoon category as it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
"Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favourable environmental conditions," a Pagasa weather bulletin on Tuesday warned.
The storm has brought about a month’s worth of rain in a day, caused flooding in 92 areas, affecting over 382,000 persons, according to emergency workers.
National Disaster Response and Risk Reduction Management Centre (NDRRMC), reported at least 20 roads across the country were impassable.
The iconic Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, affectionately known as "the Mother of All Bicol Churches," was engulfed in knee-deep floodwaters on Tuesday evening, October 22, as the storm wreaked havoc on the region.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 up in 26 areas in Northern Luzon, while Signal No. 1 covers a wide portion of Luzon, including parts of the Bicol region like Camarines Sur/Norte, Albay, Catanduanes and Sorsogon.
Rescue boats sought
Rescue boats were requested in Naga City, which straddles the Bicol River Basin, as trucks are no longer effective due to rising flood waters.
At the moment, the storm has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h with gusts of up to 105 km/h.
Signal No. 2 is in effect for several areas in Northern Luzon, while Signal No. 1 covers a wide portion of Luzon, including parts of the Bicol region like Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.
Residents in coastal areas, particularly in regions like Isabela, Aurora, and Northern Luzon, were advised to move to a higher ground or the designated evacuation centres, due to strong winds and possible storm surges.
Small sea vessels are urged to avoid venturing out due to dangerous conditions.
The Army has mobilised multiple humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams from five Infantry divisions, focusing on rescue operations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The 525th Combat Engineer Battalion also deployed an 18-person Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team to AFP Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) in Camp Nakar, Lucena City, Quezon, to assist in ongoing relief efforts.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) swiftl transported 76 stranded individuals in Albay on Tuesday. Disaster Response Task Units (DRTUs) from Tactical Operations Group 5 facilitated the safe evacuation of individuals from Ayala Mall in Legazpi City to the Daraga Covered Court Evacuation Area.
The PAF also deployed two Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) teams, equipped with rubber boats, to address emergency operations in the hardest-hit communities.
Trami is currently moving west-northwest, at 15 km/h and is expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall.
A 2pm Pagasa bulletin on Wednesday stated that Trami has maintained its strength over the sea east of Aurora Province.
Forecasters expect the storm to move generally northwestward until it makes landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora, in northern mainland Luzon tonight (October 23) or early morning on Thursday (October 24).
It is then expected to cross the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the waters west of Ilocos Region on October 24 afternoon or evening.
Trami is projected to re-enter the West Philippine Sea and could re-strengthen before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by October 25.
