20-11-2024 (MANILA) Super Typhoon Man-yi, which battered the Philippines over the weekend, has resulted in nine fatalities, according to the latest report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno provided clarification regarding the death toll, distinguishing these casualties from the 162 deaths attributed to Tropical Storm Kristine. “These nine fatalities were specifically caused by Man-yi,” Nepomuceno emphasised, addressing confusion over deaths previously linked to other recent storms including Nika and Ofel.
The devastating impact could have been more severe if not for pre-emptive evacuations coordinated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, with support from the Philippine National Police and local authorities in high-risk areas.
Catanduanes province bore the brunt of Man-yi’s fury, with 4,000 homes damaged, including 500 completely destroyed. “When Man-yi struck at its peak intensity, the region experienced Signal No. 5 conditions, with wind speeds reaching 305-350 kilometres per hour,” Nepomuceno explained. The OCD has initiated relief efforts, dispatching 3,000 roofing sheets and repair kits to affected residents.
The agricultural sector has sustained significant losses, with damage from six recent typhoons surpassing P7 billion. Man-yi alone contributed an additional P266 million to this figure. Infrastructure damage has reached P10.4 billion from the recent cyclones, with Man-yi accounting for P1.5 billion of this total, primarily affecting roads and bridges.
“Currently, 44 bridges remain impassable across Cagayan, Central Luzon, and the Bicol region,” Nepomuceno reported. Despite mounting financial pressures from the successive typhoons, he assured that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged additional funding support to address the crisis.
