In brief
Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Kristine, has drenched the Philippines with record rainfall, leading to extensive flooding that has displaced thousands and resulted in casualties. Authorities warn that conditions could worsen as the storm makes landfall.
Tropical Storm Trami unleashed torrential rainfall across the Philippines on Wednesday, prompting widespread flooding and the evacuation of over 7,000 people from their homes, as reported by officials. Currently packing winds of 52 miles per hour, the storm is on track to land on Luzon—home to the vast majority of the Philippine population—by Thursday morning, as per data from the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center.The rains began intensifying on Tuesday, greatly impacting central and northern regions. Albay province bore the brunt of the storm, reportedly receiving two months' worth of rain in just 24 hours. News outlets reported neighborhoods submerged in neck-deep water, leading civil defense officials to issue urgent warnings.Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "The worst is yet to come. The volumes of water are unprecedented." The storm has claimed at least one life so far, underlining the danger posed by Trami.As the storm wreaks havoc, disruptions have spread across the country. Schools have been closed, businesses were shuttered, and thousands of passengers and cargo workers found themselves stranded at seaports, particularly in Manila, the capital where the impacts of the storm have also been felt.Tropical Storm Trami is expected to continue its path across the northern Philippines before moving west towards Vietnam and Hainan, China. The Philippines sees an average of 20 storms annually, many of which can lead to fatal flooding due to the geographic vulnerabilities of its regions.
