Flood Rescue: Boats Evacuate Philippine Victims Amid Rising Death Toll
Floods Disrupt Life in Northern Philippines as Typhoon Co-May Moves North
Residents rely on wooden boats to navigate submerged mud in Bulacan, north of Manila, as the storm eases to a tropical system.
Rescue Efforts Amid Monsoon Wave
- National disaster agency reports 25 deaths and eight missing since Friday, but numbers exclude three construction workers buried in a landslide in Cavite.
- Rain‑softened soil caused a wall to collapse onto workers; rescue team member Rosario Jose says all bodies were found in mud and a lone survivor emerged.
- In La Union, a family of four remained trapped on the second floor of a wooden home; strong rain and winds delayed rescue, but a brief downpour has allowed teams to resume operations.
- Bulacan villages appear half submerged; evacuees plan to sleep at a local market until water recedes.
President Marcos Addresses Climate Change
President Ferdinand Marcos declared the flooding an indicator of the “new normal” linked to climate change, urging the nation to adapt rather than resist.
Storm’s Expected Exit
The weakening storm is projected to exit the Philippines by Saturday morning, but the current wave has already left lasting damage across the archipelago’s largest island.
Implications for Daily Life
- Schools closed and electricity cuts plague sections of the island.
- Residents like Lauro Sabino (54) and Mary Rose Navia (25) describe repeated flooding with no lasting solution.
- Local officials emphasize preparedness and the “difficult climate crisis” afflicting the nation’s future decades.
