Filipinos worked to clear fallen trees and repair damaged homes on Monday after the Philippines was hit by its sixth major storm in a month. The typhoon, named Man-yi, destroyed fragile structures, disrupted power supply, and claimed at least eight lives.
The national weather service had warned of a “potentially catastrophic” impact from Man-yi, which initially made landfall as a super typhoon over the weekend. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated on Monday that the storm “wasn’t as bad as we feared.”
With maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers (115 miles) per hour, Man-yi struck Catanduanes island late Saturday and Luzon island on Sunday afternoon. It caused widespread destruction by uprooting trees, downing power lines, destroying wooden homes, and triggering landslides.
President Marcos, referring to the storm as Pepito in the local language, said rescue efforts were underway for people in isolated areas, while relief efforts continued for displaced individuals lacking food and water supplies.
The typhoon’s death toll has risen to eight, including a 79-year-old man who died in Camarines Norte after his motorbike was entangled in a fallen power line. Seven others lost their lives when a landslide buried their home in Nueva Vizcaya province, leaving three injured, according to Kristine Falcon of the provincial disaster agency.
In Catanduanes, power outages caused by toppled poles could last for months, said provincial information officer Camille Gianan. She highlighted the urgent need for food, hygiene kits, and construction materials, as most homes made of light materials were flattened, while even concrete structures suffered severe roof and window damage.
In Aurora province’s coastal town of Baler, cleanup crews worked to clear roads and waterways of debris and felled trees. Disaster officer Neil Rojo reported that many houses, particularly those made of light materials, were heavily damaged, with flying roofs and fierce winds causing significant concern among residents.
Despite the destruction, efforts to restore normalcy and assist affected communities are in full swing across the hardest-hit areas.
