Tropical storm Megi hits Philippines, leaving at least 25 dead
The storm made landfall on Sunday (April 10) with sustained winds of up to 65km/h and gusts of up to 80km/h.
Megi is the first storm to hit the archipelago this year, which sees...
Philippine authorities said yesterday at least 25 people had died in landslides and floods caused by tropical storm Megi as it hit the eastern and southern coasts of the Southeast Asian country.
The storm made landfall on Sunday (April 10) with sustained winds of up to 65km/h and gusts of up to 80km/h.
Megi is the first storm to hit the archipelago this year, which sees around 20 such storms annually.
In the eastern province of Leyte, the bodies of 22 people were recovered after being buried under a landslide, said Baybay city police chief Joemen Collado to reporters.
The national disaster agency, which also said three died in the southern Davao region, said the reported casualties are still subject to verification.
"There were landslides in communities and then some of the victims were swept by floods," Collado said, adding that rescue operations are ongoing as at least six more are missing.
Images shared by the local fire bureau yesterday showed rescuers wading near partially submerged homes and digging for survivors in a landslide-hit area.
Tropical storm Megi is expected to weaken to 45km/h and move back out to sea today, the state weather bureau said.
- Reuters
