Typhoon Gaemi triggers floods, landslides in the Philippines

Summary

Typhoon Gami wreaked havoc in the Philippines, causing floods and landslides that killed at least eight people in the southern Mindanao region. Although the storm did not make landfall, it intensified the Southwest Monsoon, leading to torrential rains and strong winds. Over 800,000 were affected by the Category 3 storm, with severe flooding in Manila. The government has prepositioned funds for relief operations and Family Food Packs, and is considering declaring a state of calamity in Metro Manila to expedite aid distribution. Meanwhile, major malls are offering shelter, and private sectors are providing temporary evacuation centers for stranded individuals.

Takeaways

• 🌀 Typhoon Gami caused severe flooding and landslides in the southern Mindanao region of the Philippines, resulting in at least eight deaths.
• 💨 The storm did not directly hit the country but intensified the Southwest Monsoon, leading to heavy rains and strong winds.
• 🌊 Over 800,000 people were affected by the Category 3 storm, which caused intense flooding in Manila's streets.
• 🚗 Many residents had to wade through knee-high water, with cars trapped in rising floodwaters.
• 🚧 Access to roads and bridges was severely impacted, disrupting transportation.
• 🏢 Most government work and classes were suspended in the capital region, as well as stock market trading.
• 🏪 Major malls in Metro Manila offered shelter and accommodation for those stranded.
• 💼 The Philippines has a system of standby funds for disaster relief, including Family Food Packs and prepositioned budgets.
• 💵 The government prepositioned funds amounting to 969 million Philippine Pesos (around 16.5 million USD) for operations and relief.
• 📈 The country ranks high on the World Risk Index for vulnerability to disaster risks and experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually.
• 🏛️ Interior Minister recommended a state of calamity declaration in Metro Manila to expedite relief funds, but the final decision rests with local executives.

Q & A

What is the name of the typhoon that caused havoc in the Philippines?

Typhoon Gami.

What were the effects of Typhoon Gami in the southern Mindanao region?

At least eight people were killed due to floods and landslides.

Did Typhoon Gami make landfall in the Philippines?

No, the storm did not make landfall in the country.

What weather conditions were caused by Typhoon Gami?

It strengthened a Southwest Monsoon resulting in torrential rains and strong winds.

How many people were affected by the Category 3 storm?

More than 800,000 people were affected.

What was the situation in Manila due to the storm?

Streets in Manila experienced intense flooding, with many residents forced to wait through knee-high water and cars trapped in rising flood waters.

How did the storm affect transportation in the capital region?

Access to roads and bridges was affected, and most government work and classes were suspended.

What measures were taken by the government to prepare for the disaster?

The government prepositioned standby funds for shelter kits, Family Food Packs, and post-disaster relief operations.

How much were the standby funds prepositioned by the government for disaster relief?

The government prepositioned 969 million Philippine Pesos, around 16.5 million USD.

What non-food items were prepositioned by the government for disaster relief?

Around 1.2 billion Philippine Pesos or $2.5 million USD worth of non-food items were prepositioned.

What is the average number of typhoons that the Philippines experiences each year?

The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons each year.

What recommendations has the Interior Minister made regarding the capital region?

The Interior Minister has recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in Metro Manila to expedite the release of funds for relief operations.

Who has the authority to declare a state of calamity in the capital region?

The declaration of a state of calamity will ultimately be within the hands of local Chief Executives in the capital region through the Metro Manila Council.

What assistance is the private sector providing to those affected by the storm?

The private sector is offering spaces as temporary evacuation centers and temporary shelters for stranded passengers.