Typhoon Toraji has hit northeastern Aurora province, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. overseeing recovery efforts after a previous storm. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla mandated evacuations in flood-prone areas. The military is ready for emergencies, while schools and transportation services have been suspended. Past storms have caused significant loss of life and damage, prompting aid from regional and U.S. partners.
Typhoon Toraji struck northeastern Aurora province and is anticipated to move over the mountainous Luzon region. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had inspected the damage from a previous storm and distributed food packages to those affected in Cagayan and Ilocos. He opted out of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation forum in Peru to focus on recovery efforts from consecutive storms.
Having made landfall on Monday morning with sustained winds of approximately 130 kilometers (81 miles) per hour and gusts reaching 180 kph (112 mph), the typhoon is forecasted to travel northwest across Luzon, gradually weakening as it traverses a mountain range before entering the South China Sea.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla ordered the forcible evacuation of residents in around 2,500 villages expected to be impacted by Toraji, also named Nika. He highlighted the increased risk of flash floods and landslides in the already saturated Luzon region, emphasizing the urgency of evacuating people to safety.
The military has activated disaster-response teams in high-risk zones while suspending their combat exercises in the north due to impending severe weather. Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, affirmed their commitment to providing assistance during disasters.
In response to the typhoon, schools have been closed, and inter-island ferry services along with domestic flights have been suspended in related provinces. This is the 14th storm to impact the Philippines this year, with forecasters also monitoring a potential developing storm in the Pacific.
The recent storms and a tropical storm have caused over 160 fatalities, damaged thousands of structures, and affected more than 9 million individuals, including those who sought refuge in emergency shelters after unprecedented rainfall in 24 hours. The Philippines has received aid from Southeast Asian nations, particularly Singapore, and the United States to provide essential supplies to the devastated northern regions.
The challenges posed by Typhoon Toraji to the Philippines highlight the country’s ongoing struggle with severe weather events. Immediate evacuation measures and military readiness underscore the urgency of addressing the potential for catastrophic flooding and landslides. Furthermore, international assistance signifies the need for collaborative support in the wake of natural disasters, particularly as the nation forecasts another storm on the horizon.
Original Source: www.mid-day.com
