Typhoon Toraji has made landfall in northeastern Aurora province, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to oversee disaster relief efforts. With winds up to 180 kph, the storm threatens flash floods and landslides across Luzon, leading to mandatory evacuations in 2,500 villages. Schools and transport services have been suspended, and international aid is being provided to the hardest-hit areas.
Typhoon Toraji has struck northeastern Aurora province in the Philippines, with plans to move over the mountainous Luzon region. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had inspected the damage from a prior storm and personally distributed food supplies to affected residents in Cagayan and Ilocos. Skipping this week’s Asia-Pacific Cooperation forum in Peru, he prioritized recovery efforts from consecutive storms, underscoring his commitment to disaster management.
Making landfall on Monday morning, Toraji delivered sustained winds of 130 km/h (81 mph) and gusts reaching 180 kph (112 mph). As it is anticipated to proceed northwestwards across Luzon, it is expected to weaken while traversing a mountain range, subsequently moving into the South China Sea.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla mandated the evacuation of approximately 2,500 villages likely to be severely impacted by Toraji, locally referred to as Nika. He cautioned that the already rain-soaked mountains, valleys, and plains of Luzon are particularly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides, emphasizing the urgency of relocating residents. “We understand if some would want to stay, but we have to get them out,” Remulla stated during a press briefing.
The military has mobilized its disaster-response units to high-risk areas and has suspended combat drills in northern regions due to impending weather conditions. Armed Forces spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla asserted, “Our commitment remains steadfast in safeguarding and assisting our countrymen, especially in times of disaster.”
In anticipation of the typhoon, schools were closed, and inter-island ferry services, along with domestic flights, were canceled in areas along the storm’s path. This marks the 14th significant weather event to affect the Philippines this year, with forecasters also observing another potential storm developing in the Pacific that could pose additional threats.
The recent onslaught of storms has led to over 160 fatalities and extensive damage to housing and agriculture, displacing more than nine million individuals, including numerous families seeking refuge in emergency shelters. The severity of earlier storms, which unleashed rainfall equivalent to one to two months in just 24 hours, has further compounded the situation.
International assistance has arrived, particularly from Southeast Asian nations like Singapore and the United States, which have provided essential supplies such as food and water to devastated northern provinces. The collaborative response from neighboring countries highlights the broader regional commitment to disaster relief and support in times of crisis.
The Philippines is highly susceptible to typhoons due to its geographical location along the typhoon belt in the Pacific Ocean. Each year, the country frequently experiences severe weather systems that cause significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human life. Disaster preparedness and response have become critical areas of focus for the government and military, especially following multiple back-to-back storms that have exacerbated humanitarian challenges and triggered emergency evacuations. President Marcos Jr.’s administration places considerable emphasis on recovery efforts and international collaboration following natural disasters to mitigate their impact on the populace.
In summary, Typhoon Toraji’s landfall poses imminent threats to thousands of residents in Luzon, prompting urgent evacuations and widespread local and international humanitarian responses. The Philippine government’s proactive involvement, directed by President Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Remulla, aims to safeguard vulnerable populations. Past storms’ devastating impacts further illustrate the importance of efficient disaster management and regional solidarity in times of crisis.
Original Source: www.mid-day.com