Manila, Philippines — A powerful typhoon killed at least 31 people, disrupted electricity and communications throughout the state, and caused widespread destruction, primarily in the central Philippines, officials said Saturday. The governor said her island was “flattened to the ground.”
Typhoon Rye was blown into the South China Sea after hitting the South China Sea and Central Island states on Friday night. There, more than 300,000 people may have been safely evacuated in advance and saved many lives in the first strike.
The strongest rye packed with sustained winds of 195 km / h (121 mph) and gusts of up to 270 kph (168 mph). It is one of the most powerful disaster-prone Southeast Asian archipelago. Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. The typhoon slammed into the country’s southeastern coast on Thursday, but the extent of casualties and destruction was unknown two days later, and the entire state had yet to have power and cell phone connections.
The government’s major disaster response agencies said at least 31 people were reported dead, many after being hit by a windthrow, but added that they justified most of the deaths. At least three were injured and one was missing.
Officials in the Dinagat Islands, one of the first states to be hit by the typhoon’s breeze, remained blocked on Saturday due to power and communication line downs. However, Governor Arlene Bag-ao posted a statement on the state’s website that about 180,000 islands were “leveled.” She sought food, water, temporary housing, fuel, sanitation kits, and medical supplies. She said that so far only a few casualties have been reported in the capital, as other towns remain isolated.
“We may have survived, but due to the island’s limited capacity as a state, we will not be able to do the same in the next few days,” Bag-ao said, some of Dinagat’s hospitals. Could not open due to damage. “Most of our commercial and freighters … are currently unsuitable for voyages and effectively separate us from the rest of the country.”
Deputy Governor Nilo Demerey managed to arrive in a nearby state and told the DZMM wireless network that at least six residents had died, “almost 95% of Dinagat’s homes had no roof,” and even emergency shelters were destroyed. rice field.
“The shelter was also destroyed and is currently under repair. There was no shelter, churches, gymnasiums, schools, public markets, and even the Capitol were all shattered,” Demerry said.
A photo posted on the Dinagat website shows a low-floor house whose roof has been blown or damaged and is surrounded by tin roof sheets and debris. The nearby Siargao Island, known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, was also hit by a typhoon.
In central Bohol, which was hit by a typhoon, the Coast Guard said staff on an inflatable raft rescued residents trapped in roofs and trees due to the rapid rise in water. From the roof of a house that is likely to be caught in a brownish flood to an inflatable raft, we have released a video showing the Coast Guard staff helping people. They also help the villagers descend from the trees above the flood, and another man wears an orange life jacket and is waiting for his turn.
President Rodrigo Duterte said he would look for funding to support the state as government reserves are being used for the coronavirus pandemic. He planned to visit the devastated area this weekend.
About 20 storms and typhoons hit the Philippines every year. The archipelago is located in the “Ring of Fire” region of the Pacific Ocean, where earthquakes are active, making it one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
Jim Gomez
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