Deaths from Philippines powerful typhoon mount to 18

news-details

MANILA: 18, DECEMBER, 2021: The death toll from the powerful typhoon Rai to hit the Philippines this year has mounted to 18 as the disaster agency warned Saturday of "severe damage" in the hardest-hit areas.
Over 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 kilometers 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.
Dinagat Vice Governor Nilo Demerey said "Odette was so strong," using the local name for the typhoon.
Residents "are trying to repair their houses because even our evacuation centers were torn down. They can’t seek refuge anywhere else... everything was destroyed." Demerey added.
It is to be noted that, scientists have long warned that typhoons are becoming more strong and strengthening more rapidly as the world becomes warmer because of human-driven climate change. (04)

  • Share

You can share this post!