Tropical Storm Trami caused disasters all across the Philippines after making landfall just after midnight Thursday on Luzon Island. Official reports show that the death toll has increased to 13, while local authorities report more than 30 have died, and more than 2.6 million people have been affected.
Trami moved across Luzon Island, hitting the west coast Friday morning moving towards Hainan Island. According to the latest reports of the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 207 towns were flooded, with nearly 240,000 placed in temporary shelters.
The current value of infrastructure and crop damage totals approximately NT$13.8 million (US$430,000). As per the NDRRMC report, most of the 13 deaths occurred from landslides or drowning in affected areas, with 5 people injured and 7 currently missing. However, this report is at odds with that of Bicol Region police chief Andre Dizon, who claimed the toll was actually 26 dead, and 9 missing. Dizon’s region of Bicol, in southern Luzon, is equivalent to half the size of Taiwan.
As communication to some villages has been cut off, the death toll may continue to rise as more information comes in. On the ground, Philippine military and disaster relief units rescued people, pets and even livestock sheltering on roofs in flooded areas. As of reporting, the typhoon warning has been lowered in most areas of Luzon, to a maximum of 2 out of a possible 5, with wind speeds ranging from 62 to 88 kilometers per hour.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) expressed his condolences on “Twitter/X” to all Filipinos who lost their loved ones due to Tropical Storm Trami, saying neighbors help each other when in need. He said Taiwan is ready and willing to provide assistance at any time, and watching updates carefully, finally praying that disaster-zone recovery efforts would be swift and effective.