Devastating Floods Engulf Northern Philippines as Typhoon Man-yi Strikes

Floodwaters soaring over four meters inundated thousands of homes in the northern Philippines on Tuesday, as rivers overflowed following relentless rains and a dam release.

Typhoon Man-yi, which unleashed torrents over the weekend, swelled the Cagayan River and its tributaries, prompting the release of water from Magat Dam. This led to catastrophic flooding across already saturated farmlands and communities, impacting tens of thousands.

In Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province, buildings, lamp posts, and trees emerged from a vast expanse of brown water. Provincial disaster official Ian Valdepenas reported floodwaters exceeding four meters in certain areas, attributing the surge to the dam’s release and the land’s saturation from consecutive typhoons.

Man-yi, the sixth major storm in a month, has devastated the Philippines, leaving at least 171 dead and thousands homeless, while ravaging crops and livestock. Although the nation faces about 20 storms annually, the clustering of such severe events is unusual.

In Isabela province, Jun Montereal from the Ilagan City disaster committee noted that 30,000 people remained affected, though conditions were gradually improving. “The flood is subsiding now little by little,” Montereal said, expressing hope that fair weather would hasten the water’s retreat.

Carlo Ablan, overseeing Magat Dam operations, stated that three gates were open to manage the water, with expectations to reduce this if weather conditions hold. He emphasized that flooding in Tuguegarao was also due to other tributaries of the Cagayan River.

Authorities are cautiously optimistic about the situation improving soon, with many anticipating a return home as floodwaters recede. The storm’s intensity highlights the growing impact of climate change, which is leading to heavier rains and more powerful storms.