Philippines on High Alert as the Arrival of Tropical Storm Kong-rey Nears with Heavy Destruction after Devastating Typhoon Trami
The Philippines issued a new weather alert on Monday. One week earlier, severe Tropical Storm Trami killed more than 100 and left nearly a million displaced. Most of the victims stay at evacuation centers or temporarily lodge with relatives.
Since Trami destroyed or flooded most of their homes. The typhoon had started hitting last October 22. The National Weather Bureau had issued warnings against the approach of Tropical Storm Kong-rey. It is bound to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the nation in the next couple of hours.
The storm also forecasts rough seas along the country’s east coast. It is posing risks for ship travel. Kong-rey is expected to further gain strength into a typhoon by Tuesday. Hence, there is a possibility that the storm might touch tiny Philippines in the north earlier, by Wednesday.
The country remains under the lowest level of a five-stage storm alert along its northeast coast. Local authorities are preparing themselves to evacuate possible evacuees. They are urging residents to be more vigilant in such vulnerable areas.
Although Kong-rey is expected to make its landfall during the daytime. Trami has already greatly impacted some of the most populated areas in the Philippines. The death toll at present from Trami has been reported at 116, with 39 missing. Rescue teams are still searching and rescuing the stranded individuals.
The weather agency warned that if Kong-rey maintains its current trajectory, it could shift further west. As a result, it will become more closer to the main Philippine islands than previously expected. This means that it could bring additional flooding and landslides. It would be disastrous in places already destroyed by the Trami.
As Kong-rey nears, it is forecast to make landfall in Taiwan at typhoon strength by early Friday. Heavy weather remains a threat because the Philippines goes through a cycle of storms every year. About 20 major typhoons normally strike the archipelago or its surrounding waters each year.
The damage these storms cause to homes and infrastructure is extreme. Local governments mobilize resources to help the public in recovering from Trami. The national government has also appealed for some international aid to help the displaced people.
