New storm approaches Philippines as country issues weather alert following deadly Trami

Manila, Philippines: The Philippines raised a new weather alert on Monday, just days after over 100 people lost their lives to the year’s worst storm.

Nearly one million people are still living in evacuation centres or with relatives after losing their homes due to flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Trami, which struck on October 22. Now, the national weather agency warns that Tropical Storm Kong-rey is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the region in the coming hours, along with rough seas off the east coast.

Kong-rey forecast and Trami impact

Kong-rey is forecasted to strengthen into a typhoon by Tuesday and could pass near small islands in northern Philippines as early as Wednesday, according to the weather service. Currently, the lowest level of a five-stage storm alert is active on the northeast coast of the country.

In contrast, Trami impacted some of the Philippines' most populated areas. The government’s disaster agency reported that the death toll from Trami has reached 116, with 39 people still missing. "Considering the current movement, a further westward shift in forecast track is not ruled out," it said of the latest storm, which would bring it closer to the country than earlier forecast. It also anticipates that Kong-rey will make landfall in Taiwan as a typhoon by early Friday.

Each year, about 20 major storms and typhoons affect the Philippines and its surrounding waters, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure and resulting in numerous fatalities.

Agency