28-5-2024 (MANILA) In the aftermath of Typhoon Ewiniar’s prolonged stay over the Philippine archipelago, the nation is grappling with the devastating consequences left in its wake. As the typhoon finally moved away from the country’s eastern coast on Tuesday, authorities reported at least seven fatalities, primarily due to flooding or toppled trees, and the closure of several seaports, stranding thousands of passengers.
Ewiniar, locally known as Aghon, crept along the Philippines’ eastern coast late Friday night and lingered over the islands for several days before shifting northeastward away from the archipelago. All storm warnings were lifted on Tuesday as the typhoon’s threat dissipated.
The typhoon’s shift in direction spared the densely populated capital, Manila, from a potentially damaging hit. However, its impact was felt across various regions, with the hard-hit province of Quezon bearing the brunt of the storm’s fury.
According to provincial police reports, at least six villagers in Quezon drowned in floodwaters or were killed by falling trees during the sudden deluge. In the southern province of Misamis Oriental, a tragic incident occurred when a villager was struck and killed by a falling tree while riding a motorcycle taxi with her sister on their way to school.
Many villages were overwhelmed by flash floods, with some low-lying areas in Lucena, the capital city of Quezon province, engulfed in up to 2.4 meters of water. Authorities attributed the severe flooding partly to clogged drainage systems after an extraordinarily hot summer season.
Quezon Governor Angelina Tan and other provincial officials revealed that numerous houses, including the governor’s residence, were damaged by fierce winds and torrential rains. The typhoon forced Tan to seek shelter elsewhere while overseeing the distribution of food and other aid to displaced villagers.
Before departing for a state visit to Brunei on Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that more than 26,700 people were affected by the typhoon, with many seeking refuge in evacuation centers across five provincial regions. Three airports and 29 seaports were unable to operate normally due to the typhoon, while six cities and towns experienced power outages, he added.
The Philippine coast guard reported that more than 4,800 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers were stranded at one point due to seaport closures as the typhoon lashed southern and central provinces.
“Even before the typhoon hit, we’ve transported relief goods in places near the typhoon’s expected path, so they were all ready,” Marcos reassured.
The Philippines, an archipelago situated in an Asian region prone to natural disasters, is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest on record, left more than 7,300 people dead or missing, flattened entire villages, swept ships inland, and displaced more than 5 million in the central Philippines.
