Death Toll From Philippines Typhoon Rises To 18
Muhammad Irfan Published December 18, 2021 | 08:30 AM
Manila, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Dec, 2021 ) :The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year has risen to 18 as the disaster agency warned Saturday of "severe damage" in the hardest-hit areas.
More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Typhoon Rai ravaged the southern and central regions of the country, knocking out communications in many areas and toppling concrete power poles.
Rai was a super typhoon when it smashed into the popular tourist island of Siargao on Thursday, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometres per hour (120 miles per hour).
Its wind speeds eased to 150 kph as it barrelled across the archipelago, ripping roofs off houses, uprooting trees and littering streets with debris.
More than 18,000 military, police, coast guard and fire personnel will join search and rescue efforts in the worst-affected regions, Mark Timbal, spokesman for the national disaster agency, told AFP.
"There has been severe damage" in Surigao and Siargao, Timbal said, referring to the areas that bore the brunt of the typhoon.
Communications were still down in Siargao and in the nearby city of Surigao, which is on the northern tip of the southern island of Mindanao.
Philippine Coast Guard has shared photos on social media showing widespread destruction around Surigao, with roofs torn off buildings, wooden structures shattered and palm trees stripped of fronds.
Aerial footage showed swathes of rice fields under water.
Dinagat Vice Governor Nilo Demerey told broadcaster ABS-CBN the storm devastated the island near Siargao and left at least six people dead.
That takes the overall death toll to 18, with the disaster agency also reporting seven missing and two injured.
"Odette was so strong," Demerey said, using the local name for the typhoon.
Residents "are trying to repair their houses because even our evacuation centres were torn down. They can't seek refuge anywhere else... everything was destroyed." After lashing Palawan island, Rai emerged over the South China Sea on Saturday and was headed towards Vietnam, the state weather forecaster said.
Rai hit the Philippines late in the typhoon season -- most cyclones typically develop between July and October.
Scientists have long warned that typhoons are becoming more powerful and strengthening more rapidly as the world becomes warmer because of human-driven climate change.
The Philippines -- ranked as one of the world's most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change -- is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons every year, which typically wipe out harvests, homes and infrastructure in already impoverished areas.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Interior Minister removes Director, Assistant Director over complaints at Passpo ..
Meter tampering, gas theft main reasons behind over billing in Balochistan: Tara ..
JUI-F chief expresses concerns about state of democracy in Pakistan
Four terrorists involved in suicide attack on Chinese in Besham arrested
SIC chief asks PTI leaders to resign from assemblies
Pakistan working tirelessly to eradicate polio from country: PM
IHC Justice Sattar dismisses pleas moved by FIA, PEMRA and PTA in audio leaks ca ..
Gillespie, Kirsten feature in 48th edition of PCB Podcast
Security forces kill four terrorists in Tank
Fake immoral video of Ducky Bhai's wife goes on viral on social media
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 29 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 29 April 2024
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
21 hours ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
1 day ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
1 day ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
2 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
3 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
3 days ago
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
6 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
7 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
8 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
8 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
8 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
8 days ago