A tropical storm dumped heavy rain across the northern Philippines over the weekend, causing floods and landslides and forcing the closure of schools in the capital region.
The goat, known locally as Enteng, is moving northwest with maximum wind speeds of 75 kilometres and maximum gusts of 90 kilometres, bringing dangerous weather conditions to the region.
At least one person was killed in storm-related flooding in Naga city, Camarines Sur, and authorities were still verifying whether other reported deaths were weather-related.
The eastern city was badly damaged, with floodwaters rising several feet and hundreds of residents being rescued. A nine-month-old girl was found dead in a flooded area, AFP news agency quoted officials as saying.
In Northern Samar province, waters reached waist height and the Philippine Coast Guard evacuated 40 people from two flooded villages on Sunday.
The storm also disrupted operations at several ports, leaving 2,400 ferry passengers and cargo workers stranded.
About 20 domestic flights were also canceled.
Rains from the storm triggered landslides in central Cebu City, killing at least two people and destroying several homes.
The severe weather forced the closure of schools and government offices in Manila and the surrounding provinces of Bulacan and Quezon.
The Ipo Dam in Bulacan province north of Manila was on the verge of flooding, and authorities planned to release some of the water later on Monday, giving assurances that it would not pose a danger to villages downstream.
Authorities are also monitoring Manila’s Marikina River, where water levels are rising, and residents in areas at risk of flooding have been warned to prepare to evacuate.
Typhoon Yagi is expected to make landfall in northern Luzon, possibly on Isabela or Cagayan islands, before heading toward southern China later this week.
The Philippine weather bureau PAGASA warned of possible flash floods, landslides and coastal high waves as the storm continues to affect the region.
Yagi’s arrival came just days after heavy monsoon rains flooded parts of Manila and just a month after Typhoon Gaemi struck.
Although Ghaemi did not make landfall in the Philippines, it interacted with the southwest monsoon, bringing strong winds and torrential rains. At least 48 people were killed and about 6.5 million people were affected by severe weather.
The Philippines experiences around 20 typhoons and storms a year, and because the archipelago sits on the “Ring of Fire,” it is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, regularly hit by devastating volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and cyclones.
