Filipinos began the arduous process of recovery on Monday after Super Typhoon Man-yi, the sixth major storm to strike the Philippines in just a month, wreaked havoc over the weekend. The storm caused widespread damage, uprooting trees, toppling power lines, and flattening homes made of light materials. While authorities had feared a “potentially catastrophic” disaster, the impact was less severe than anticipated, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Philippines, a Southeast Asian nation situated in the typhoon-prone Pacific Ring of Fire, has long been vulnerable to extreme weather events. However, the recent frequency and intensity of storms have tested the resilience of its citizens and infrastructure. Man-yi, locally referred to as Pepito, packed maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (115 mph) when it struck Catanduanes island late Saturday before barreling through the main island of Luzon on Sunday.
Despite its initial designation as a super typhoon, Man-yi weakened significantly as it moved inland, sparing the region from catastrophic flooding but leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
One confirmed fatality has been reported: a 79-year-old man in Camarines Norte province died after his motorbike became entangled in a fallen power line. President Marcos described the death as “one casualty too many” during his address to the media on Monday.
In Catanduanes, the first region to feel Man-yi’s wrath, the damage was extensive. Camille Gianan, a provincial information officer, reported that power outages could last for months due to toppled electricity poles. Many homes constructed from light materials were completely destroyed, while sturdier buildings suffered extensive damage to roofs, doors, and windows.
“We need food packs, hygiene kits, and construction materials,” Gianan pleaded, underscoring the province’s urgent need for assistance.
In Aurora province, particularly in the coastal town of Baler, disaster officials described a grim scene. Roads and waterways were clogged with fallen trees and debris, while roofs were ripped from homes by fierce winds.
Neil Rojo, a local disaster officer in Baler, shared the community’s fears. “It was the fierce wind that got us scared, not exactly the heavy rains,” he said, noting that early assessments suggest heavy damage to homes built with light materials.
President Marcos emphasized that relief and recovery efforts are underway. Teams are focusing on rescuing residents in isolated areas and providing basic necessities to displaced individuals who lack access to food and water.
“We will now carry on with the rescue of those in isolated areas and the continuing relief for those who have been displaced,” Marcos said.
Efforts are also being directed towards restoring power and clearing debris to enable the delivery of supplies to hard-hit areas. However, the scale of destruction has posed logistical challenges, particularly in regions like Catanduanes, where infrastructure remains fragile.
Man-yi’s arrival is part of an unusual streak of violent weather in the Philippines. Over the past month, five other significant storms have ravaged the country, claiming at least 163 lives and leaving thousands homeless. Crops and livestock, vital to the livelihood of many rural communities, have been decimated, further compounding the crisis.
Climate scientists have pointed to climate change as a key factor behind the increasing intensity and frequency of storms in the region. Warmer ocean temperatures fuel more powerful cyclones, leading to heavier rainfall, flash floods, and stronger winds.
Adding to the unusual nature of this year’s typhoon season, four storms were simultaneously active in the Pacific Basin last month — a phenomenon not observed in November since records began in 1951, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Despite the daunting challenges, communities across the Philippines have demonstrated remarkable resilience. In towns like Baler, residents have already begun cleaning up, removing debris from roads and waterways to restore a semblance of normalcy.
In the days following the storm, volunteers and local officials have worked tirelessly to distribute relief goods, repair homes, and restore disrupted services. However, for many, the road to recovery will be long and fraught with difficulties.
“We are doing our best to bounce back,” said a local volunteer in Catanduanes. “But the damage is overwhelming. We just hope help comes quickly.”
The recent onslaught of typhoons underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and climate resilience in the Philippines. The government has been urged to invest in better infrastructure, including sturdier housing, flood defenses, and reliable power grids, to mitigate the impact of future storms.
Experts have also called for stronger international cooperation to combat climate change and provide financial support to vulnerable nations like the Philippines, which disproportionately bear the brunt of global warming.
As of Monday, Man-yi had weakened to a severe tropical storm and was moving westward over the South China Sea towards Vietnam. While the storm no longer poses a significant threat to the Philippines, its impact will be felt for weeks, if not months, to come.
