At least 15 people have died and 21 are missing as tropical storm Yagi, which has weakened to a typhoon and is heading toward China, hit the Philippines, authorities said Wednesday.
The storm, named Enteng in the Philippines, caused severe flooding and landslides after crossing the island of Luzon on Monday with rain and sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour.
In a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, the disaster agency said the death toll stood at 15, the majority in Luzon – where Manila is located – and that among the 21 missing were a group of 15 sailors whose ship sank.
Most deaths were caused by landslides, drowning or electrocution.while 15 injuries were recorded due to the effects of the storm.
More than 1.7 million people have been affected, including some 88,000 displaced, and damage is estimated at 350 million pesos (nearly 6.2 million dollars or 5.6 million euros).
The storm also caused the cancellation of dozens of domestic flights and the suspension of classes at more than 450 educational centers.
Marcos called on authorities to focus on search and rescue operations, while work to clear roads and debris continues.
For his part, Chinese authorities issued new alerts on Wednesday due to Typhoon Yagithe eleventh this year and considered the first autumn, which is expected to make landfall between Wanning, Hainan Island, and Dianbai, Guangzhou, on the afternoon of September 6, as a strong typhoon or super typhoon.
The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons and tropical storms per year.especially during the rainy season, which usually begins in June and ends in November or December.
In July, more than 30 people died in the Philippines due to the effects of Typhoon Gaemi.
