Philippine rescue efforts intensify as Storm Trami leaves 40 dead

Rescue workers in the Philippines struggled through floodwaters Friday to save residents stranded on rooftops after Tropical Storm Trami swept through, causing deadly floods and displacing tens of thousands, news reports said.

The storm left at least 40 dead, including casualties reported in Bicol and Batangas provinces, where flash floods devastated communities. Bicol police reported many people remained trapped, noting that landslides had hindered rescue access.

Trami unleashed torrential rain across Luzon, with Batangas alone receiving over 390 millimeters of rain in two days. Nearly 193,000 people were evacuated as streets turned to rivers and volcanic sediment filled towns. While waters began to recede, government offices and schools stayed closed, and storm surge warnings continued along Luzon’s western coast.