Fri Nov 15 09:52:45 UTC 2024: ## Philippines Braces for Another Storm After Deadly Typhoon Usagi
**MANILA, Philippines** – Just weeks after devastating flash floods and landslides claimed the lives of dozens, the Philippines is facing yet another dangerous storm. Tropical Storm Man-yi is forecast to hit coastal waters near the capital, Manila, by Sunday, according to the weather service.
The warning comes as rescue efforts continue in the wake of Typhoon Usagi, which battered the archipelago nation on Friday. Usagi, the fifth major storm to hit the Philippines in less than a month, displaced thousands and killed at least 159 people nationwide. The storm caused widespread destruction, including the uprooting of trees, damage to homes, and the flooding of 10 villages in Cagayan province.
“We rescued a number of people who had refused to move to shelters and got trapped on their rooftops,” said Edward Gaspar, a local rescue official. “Trees uprooted by flooding damaged a major bridge in Gonzaga, isolating nearby Santa Ana, a coastal town of about 36,000 people.”
Usagi has since weakened and moved towards Taiwan, but the Philippines remains on high alert for Man-yi. The UN has already requested $32.9 million in aid for the country, citing the widespread damage caused by recent storms.
The latest assessment reveals that the past month’s storms have destroyed or damaged 207,000 houses, forcing 700,000 people into temporary shelters. Thousands of hectares of farmland have been destroyed, raising concerns about food shortages.
The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, but the recent onslaught of storms has highlighted the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. The UN has urged the international community to support the Philippines as it recovers from these disasters and prepares for future challenges.
First Piper 