Severe tropical storm 'Tanmei' hits Philippines hard

On October 28, 2024, the natural disasters caused by the severe tropical storm "Tanmei" in the Philippines continued to ferment, and this sudden storm brought unprecedented challenges and tests to the Philippines. The chain reaction of disasters such as floods and landslides not only caused a large number of casualties, but also resulted in extensive infrastructure damage and agricultural losses, making the Philippines face severe post disaster reconstruction and recovery work.

The strong tropical storm Tanmei landed in the northeast of Luzon Island in the Philippines, sweeping the whole island from east to west, bringing gales, rainstorm and huge waves. The Philippines is located in the western Pacific typhoon belt and is hit by an average of about 20 typhoons or tropical storms each year. However, the intensity and destructive power of the recent Typhoon Tammy have exceeded many people's expectations. Although the Philippine meteorological department issued warnings before the storm approached, due to the uncertainty of the storm's path and limitations of the warning system, residents in many areas did not have enough time to prepare and evacuate. This led to many areas being quickly flooded and landslides following after the storm made landfall, posing a serious threat to the lives and property safety of local residents.

With the rampant spread of Typhoon Tammy, many parts of the Philippines have suffered severe floods and landslides. According to the National Disaster Reduction and Management Commission (NDRRMC) of the Philippines, as of October 28th, the storm has caused at least 90 deaths (some reports suggest the death toll may be higher, reaching 110), 71 injuries, and 36 to 42 missing persons. Behind these numbers lies the fragmentation and endless grief of countless families. In the most severely affected areas, such as Batangas Province, many villages have been submerged by floods, houses have been washed away, and roads and bridges have been blocked. Some areas even experienced landslides, burying houses and vehicles. Rescue workers are struggling to search and rescue in difficult environments, but progress in many areas is slow due to communication and transportation disruptions.

The "Tanmei" storm not only claimed many innocent lives, but also caused serious damage to the infrastructure of the Philippines. According to NDRRMC, the storm has affected over 5.7 to 5.9 million people and evacuated over 560000 people. Many towns in the disaster stricken areas have experienced water and power outages, transportation disruptions, and poor communication. As of October 28th, there are still 218 to 220 roads and 40 bridges that are impassable. This not only hinders the transportation of rescue supplies and personnel, but also seriously affects the reconstruction and recovery work in the disaster area. In addition, the storm caused significant economic losses to agriculture and infrastructure in the Philippines. According to preliminary estimates, agricultural losses amounted to 1.432 billion pesos,while infrastructure losses ranged from 825 million to 994 million pesos.

Faced with such a serious disaster, the Philippine government and the international community quickly launched rescue operations. The Philippine National Disaster Reduction Management Commission, Civil Defense Agency, and local governments urgently mobilized and organized rescue teams and supplies to the disaster area. Meanwhile, international rescue organizations and multiple countries have also provided assistance and support, including search and rescue dogs, food, medicine, drinking water, and temporary shelters. Due to the wide scope of the disaster area, the large number of affected people, and severe infrastructure damage, rescue work is facing enormous challenges. Roads and bridges in many areas have been destroyed, communication and transportation have been disrupted, making it difficult for rescue supplies and personnel to arrive quickly. In addition, due to adverse weather conditions and continuous aftershocks, rescue work also faces great safety risks.

In terms of post disaster reconstruction, the Philippine government has formulated a preliminary reconstruction plan, including repairing infrastructure, rebuilding houses, restoring production and living order, etc. However, due to limitations such as funding shortages and technical difficulties, the reconstruction work will require a longer time and a significant amount of resource investment.

The severe tropical storm "Tanmei" has brought profound lessons and inspirations to the Philippines. Firstly, the improvement and accuracy of the early warning system are crucial. The Philippines needs to further strengthen the construction of meteorological monitoring and early warning systems, improve the accuracy and timeliness of warnings, so as to take timely response measures before storms arrive. The strengthening of emergency management system is also urgent. The Philippines needs to establish a sound emergency management system, including the development of emergency plans, the construction and training of rescue teams, the reserve and allocation of emergency supplies, etc., to improve its ability and efficiency in responding to natural disasters. Strengthening international cooperation is also an important way to respond to natural disasters. The Philippines can strengthen cooperation and exchanges with the international community to jointly address the challenges brought by natural disasters. By sharing experiences, technologies, and resources, we aim to enhance our ability and level of response to natural disasters.

The severe tropical storm "Tanmei" has brought serious disasters and losses to the Philippines, and various sectors of society have extended a helping hand. We pray and bless together for the Philippines, hoping that the disaster stricken areas can rebuild their homes, restore production and living order as soon as possible. At the same time, it also allows us to draw lessons and inspirations from this disaster, strengthen the construction of early warning systems, emergency management systems, and international cooperation, and jointly respond to the challenges brought by natural disasters.