Typhoon Man-yi, one of the strongest storms to hit the Philippines this year, devastated the northern region, leaving at least three villagers missing, destroying homes, and displacing thousands. With sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, the typhoon struck Catanduanes province on Saturday night, worsening the crisis caused by five earlier storms.
Officials reported that over a million people were affected by Man-yi and two prior storms, with nearly 700,000 forced into emergency shelters. In northern Nueva Ecija, a family of three was swept away by rampaging rivers, prompting an ongoing search. Damage assessments revealed nearly 8,000 homes destroyed and power outages across more than 100 cities and towns due to toppled electric posts.
Camarines province, the worst hit, suffered widespread destruction, with officials appealing for urgent aid, including food, water, and construction materials. “They have not recovered from the previous storms when the super typhoon hit,” provincial information officer Camille Gianan said, highlighting the compounding impact of successive disasters.
In three weeks, six storms have ravaged Luzon, killing over 160 people and affecting nine million. Farmland destruction may necessitate increased rice imports. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged officials to prepare for “the worst-case scenario” as Man-yi approached.
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