Philippines Faces Deluge: 1 died, 43000 Evacuated in Floods

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22nd Nov, 2023. 07:08 pm
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A fatality reported as intense rainfall triggers widespread flooding.
Tens of thousands compelled to evacuate homes.
Northern Samar, severely affected, deploys inflatable boats for rescues.

A fatality occurred, and tens of thousands were compelled to evacuate as intense rainfall led to widespread flooding in the central Philippines, according to authorities on Wednesday.

In Northern Samar, among the most severely affected provinces, rescuers employed inflatable boats and ropes to reach individuals stranded in their homes after a week of continuous rain.

Catarman, the provincial capital, experienced over a month’s worth of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday morning.

The muddy waters transformed streets into rivers, submerging shopping malls, residences, and business establishments.

“The monthly rainfall in Catarman is around 450 millimeters but yesterday alone was 619 (mm),” state weather forecaster Benison Estareja told AFP.

The national disaster agency reported that over 43,000 individuals have had to evacuate their residences, awaiting the recession of floodwaters.

In the municipality of Pambujan in Northern Samar, a woman lost her life due to a landslide, as confirmed by local disaster chief Pedro Balanquit to AFP.

“The floods reached the top of two-storey houses.”

Experiencing approximately 20 major storms annually, the Philippines is recognized as one of the most susceptible countries to the repercussions of climate change.

The heightened capacity of a warmer atmosphere to retain moisture amplifies the likelihood and severity of flooding resulting from intense rainfall, underscoring the impact of climate change on the nation.

Philippines Faces Deluge: 1 died, 43000 Evacuated in Floods

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