The Philippines is once again facing disaster. A new storm has forced nearly 400,000 people to flee their homes. At least three people have died. The country is still recovering from the damage left by Super Typhoon Ragasa earlier this week.
The latest system, Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi, struck southern Luzon on Friday. Winds reached 110 kilometers per hour. Walls collapsed, trees fell, and roofs were torn off houses. Civil defence officials confirmed the deaths in the Bicol region.
In Masbate province, evacuees who sought safety inside a church were nearly crushed. The roof, doors, and windows were ripped apart by the force of the wind. “That’s one of the strongest winds I’ve ever experienced,” said Jerome Martinez, a municipal engineer. He added that children had been injured, and many homes destroyed.
Rescue teams are working to clear roads blocked by fallen trees and broken electric poles. “The rain was strong, but the wind was stronger,” said rescuer Frandell Anthony Abellera. Entire communities remain cut off. More evacuations are expected as homes collapse and debris clogs streets.
The Philippines is one of the most storm-prone countries in the world. On average, it faces 20 typhoons a year. Millions of people live in vulnerable areas. Climate scientists warn that warming oceans are making storms more powerful and more destructive.
The devastation also comes at a time of public anger. A scandal over fake flood-control projects has shaken trust in the government. Many accuse officials of wasting billions, leaving communities unprotected against disasters.
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Across the sea in Taiwan, the struggle continues. In Hualien County, 11 people are still missing after Ragasa caused catastrophic flooding earlier this week. A barrier lake in the mountains overflowed, sending mud and water into the town of Guangfu. At least 14 people have been confirmed dead.
Rescuers are battling through waist-deep mud. They are cutting holes in roofs to look for survivors. Families continue to search for loved ones. One man said his sister had died after being trapped inside her flooded home.
Elderly residents were among the worst affected. Many could not escape in time. Survivors describe moments of fear and courage. “When you’re faced with an emergency, you suddenly find the courage to do anything,” said Chang Hsueh-mei, 78, who escaped through wreckage to save her husband.
Authorities face a major challenge. The barrier lake has now shrunk to 12% of its original size. But experts have ruled out using explosives to release the water, warning of fresh landslides.
Despite the devastation, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, located on the island’s west coast, has not been affected.
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