The northern Philippines is reeling from the impact of Typhoon Man-yi, the sixth major storm to batter the region in less than a month. This latest devastating blow has left at least three villagers missing, destroyed thousands of homes, and plunged entire towns into darkness. The sheer scale of destruction underscores the compounding crisis facing the nation, already grappling with the aftermath of five previous storms.
Man-yi, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the region this year, packed sustained winds of up to 195 kilometers (125 miles) per hour when it made landfall in the eastern island province of Catanduanes on Saturday night. The ferocious winds and torrential rain caused catastrophic damage. Disaster response officials are currently investigating whether two reported deaths in eastern Camarines Norte province were directly caused by the typhoon. Meanwhile, a desperate search is underway for a family – a couple and their child – whose shanty was swept away by rampaging rivers in northern Nueva Ecija province.
The sheer number of people affected is staggering. Over a million individuals have been impacted by Man-yi and the two preceding storms, with nearly 700,000 forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in emergency shelters or with relatives. The Official of Civil Defense reports that nearly 8,000 houses were either damaged or completely destroyed. More than 100 cities and towns experienced widespread power outages due to toppled electric posts.
Camarines Norte province bore the brunt of Man-yi’s fury. Provincial officials have issued urgent pleas for additional aid, as fierce winds and torrential rain caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. Electricity and water supplies have been cut off across the entire province, and cellphone connections remain disrupted in many areas. While welfare officials have begun transporting food, water, and other essential supplies, the need for ongoing assistance is immense, with many villagers needing construction materials to rebuild their homes.
“They have not recovered from the previous storms when the super typhoon hit,” Camille Gianan, provincial information officer for Camarines Norte, told The Associated Press. “It’s been one calamity after another.” This sentiment reflects the widespread exhaustion and despair across the affected areas.
The unprecedented series of back-to-back storms and typhoons that ravaged Luzon Island in just three weeks has resulted in a devastating toll: more than 160 fatalities, 9 million people affected, and extensive damage to communities, infrastructure, and agricultural lands. The sheer scale of the agricultural damage is so significant that the Philippines may need to import more rice, a staple food, to ensure food security.
In anticipation of Man-yi’s arrival, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened an emergency meeting, urging his Cabinet and provincial officials to prepare for the worst. The storm temporarily shut down at least 26 domestic airports and two international airports, with inter-island ferry and cargo services suspended due to rough seas. Thousands of passengers and commuters were stranded, though most transport services have since resumed.
International support has been crucial. The United States, along with Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, have provided cargo aircraft and other forms of aid to bolster the government’s overwhelmed disaster-response agencies. The sheer frequency and intensity of these storms highlight the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters and underscore the urgent need for long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of increasingly frequent and intense weather events. The country is battered by an average of 20 typhoons and storms each year, coupled with earthquakes and active volcanoes, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations. The devastating impact of Typhoon Man-yi serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges and the need for continued international support.
