Tropical Storm Nalgae, which slammed into the Philippines, is now threatening the capital Manila after killing at least 45 people following flooding and landslides in the archipelago.
Storm Nalgae, expected since Thursday, finally hit the main island of the Philippines at dawn on Saturday, accompanied by winds reaching 95 km / h and heavy rains. Floodwaters have invaded several towns and villages on the island of Mindanao, carrying trees, stones and mud in their path. Some 500 houses were destroyed.
From now on, Nalgae could also affect the capital Manila and its 13 million inhabitants, warned the Philippine meteorological service, which warns of ” widespread flooding and landslides caused by rain “. More than 7,000 people were evacuated before the arrival of the storm and 5,000 teams of rescuers were mobilized, the authorities also announced.
Third killer storm of the year
An average of twenty typhoons and storms hit the Philippines each year, killing people and livestock in their path, and ravaging farms, homes, roads and bridges, although the south is rarely affected. As the planet is affected by global warming, storms and typhoons are becoming more powerful, scientists warn.
It is already the third deadly storm to hit the Philippines this year. End of September, Typhoon Noru killed at least 10 people, including five rescuers. Tropical storm Megi, which hit the country in April, killed at least 148 people and caused massive landslides.
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(With AFP)
