With wind speeds of around 75 kilometers per hour, it is not the worst storm – but “Yagi” has claimed the lives of at least 13 people in the Philippines. And the number of victims could rise.
Tropical Storm Yagi has caused severe damage in the Philippines and killed at least 13 people. According to the disaster management agency, seven people were killed in landslides and floods in the hilly municipality of Antipolo east of Manila alone, and four others are missing. “Search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” said Enrilito Bernardo, Antipolo’s disaster management officer.
More victims feared
More deaths were reported in the central provinces: two people died in a landslide in northern Samar, one person drowned in Negros Oriental, and three people died in the city of Naga in Cebu province. Authorities expect the number of victims to rise further as some regions have not yet been fully reached.
The storm, known locally as “Enteng,” made landfall in Casiguran, Aurora on Monday, causing widespread power outages. This morning, the storm’s center was off the coast of Laoag, Ilocos. According to the Pag-asa weather agency, “Yagi” reached wind speeds of up to 75 km/h. The Philippines lies in the Pacific typhoon belt and is affected by about 20 tropical storms and typhoons annually.