Manila, Philippines – Typhoon Ewiniar has moved away from the Philippines after causing devastation across the country. The typhoon claimed the lives of at least seven individuals, mostly due to floods and falling trees. Additionally, several seaports were forced to close, leaving thousands of passengers stranded, officials reported on Tuesday.
Moving along the country’s eastern coast, Typhoon Ewiniar lingered over the Philippine islands for days before veering northeastward, away from the archipelago. Prompting the lifting of all storm warnings on Tuesday, the typhoon’s change in direction spared the capital city of Manila from severe damage.
Known locally as Aghon, Typhoon Ewiniar was last located approximately 450 kilometers east of the northern town of Basco in Batanes province. Government forecasters reported sustained winds of 130 kph and gusts of up to 160 kph.
Tragically, at least six villagers lost their lives in Quezon province due to drowning in floodwaters or falling trees during the sudden deluge. In Misamis Oriental province, a resident lost their life when a tree fell on a motorcycle taxi they were traveling on with a family member en route to school.
Flash floods overwhelmed many villages, leading to areas being submerged in up to eight feet of water in Lucena, the capital city of Quezon province. Quezon Governor Angelina Tan highlighted the impact of clogged drainage systems post an unusually hot summer, resulting in severe flooding and damaged houses throughout the region.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that over 26,700 individuals were affected by the typhoon, with many seeking refuge in evacuation centers across five provincial regions. The severe weather disrupted the operations of three airports and 29 seaports, causing power outages in six cities and towns.
During the height of the typhoon, more than 4,800 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers were left stranded due to seaport closures in southern and central provinces, according to the Philippine coast guard. Despite preparations, as Marcos mentioned, the impact of the typhoon was felt across the affected areas.
The Philippines, nestled in an Asian region susceptible to natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, experiences around 20 typhoons and storms annually. Notably, in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest ever recorded, ravaged the central Philippines, causing widespread devastation and leaving thousands dead or missing.