Philippines: Multiple Tropical Cyclones - Flash Update No.4, As of 15 November 2024, 5pm local time

Situation Overview

Multiple tropical cyclones have affected the Philippines in a span of one month resulting in millions affected, recurring and protracted displacements, damaged and destroyed houses and prolonged flooding that have prevented communities from fully transitioning to recovery.

Within one month, five tropical cyclones have entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with varying strengths from Severe Tropical Storm to Super Typhoons bringing along with them heavy to intense rainfall or strong to severe winds. The latest to make landfall is Usagi, local name Ofel, which rapidly intensified into a super typhoon with winds of upwards 185 km/hour in the early hours of 13 November before making landfall as a strong typhoon over Baggao, Cagayan on 14 November.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report as of 14 November, the combined number of people affected by the five storms is more than 9 million people or around 2.4 million families. Records have yet to determine how many communities have been forced to evacuate multiple times. More than 617,000 people remain displaced, of which 160,000 people are in 590 evacuation centres (EC) while 460,000 people are temporarily staying elsewhere. The Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) cluster notes that a substantial number of those displaced outside evacuation centres have been unable to return to their homes and are sleeping in open spaces. These numbers may still change with the entry of additional tropical cyclones in the country.

Authorities in the country are also monitoring another strong typhoon headed for the Philippines, which would make it the 6th major storm to cross the country in the span of four weeks. Tropical storm Man-yi, local name Pepito, is expected to gain strength and turn into another possible super typhoon. The expected landfall is on 16 or 17 November in Bicol Region. As an area still recovering from severe floods caused by Severe Tropical Storm Trami less than a month ago, local authorities with the support of early warning agencies, have called for the pre-emptive evacuation of communities in the path of the storm.

Impact and Affected Areas

The full extent of the damage or impact of the multiple storms is still to be determined as they are still ongoing. The NDRRMC reports that more than 207k houses were damaged across 17 out of the 18 regions in the country. Damage to infrastructure has reached US$179 million (PHP10.56 billion) however the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reports that field validation is still needed. While most of the critical lifelines have been restored access may be impeded by the incoming storm.

The heavy to intense rains that negatively impacted livelihoods and food security of farmers and fisherfolk in the affected areas, especially in the Bicol region. The total damage to the sector thus far is at US$119 million (PHP 7 billion). The province of Camarines Sur incurred the highest agricultural damage estimated at $39 million (PHP2.3 billion), damaging 33,145 hectares, and affecting 34,260 farmers and fisherfolks.