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Severe Tropical Storm Emong Triggers Widespread Devastation, Displacing Thousands and causing Notable damage

The Philippines is grappling with the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Emong, which has left a trail of destruction across 17 regions. The storm, which made landfall in Pangasinan on July 24, intensified existing flood conditions exacerbated by the earlier passage of storms Crising and Dante. Emong has since weakened to a tropical storm and is currently moving past the Babuyan Islands.

The impact of Emong has been severe, with over 86,000 individuals forced to evacuate their homes. Of these, 57,555 families have sought refuge in designated evacuation centers, while an additional 29,502 families are staying with relatives or in temporary, informal shelters.

Tragically, at least 30 lives have been lost due to various storm-related incidents, including flooding, landslides, and maritime accidents. Ten people have been reported injured, and seven remain unaccounted for. Metro Manila recorded the highest number of fatalities with nine, followed by Western Visayas with six. Other regions, including Calabarzon and Central Luzon (Region 3), also reported casualties. The National Disaster risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has cautioned that these figures are preliminary and may increase as ongoing validation efforts continue.

The storm’s fury resulted in widespread flooding, with 997 areas inundated. The NDRRMC also documented 379 instances of fallen debris, 30 drowning incidents, and landslides in 25 locations. Thirty structures were reported to have collapsed under the storm’s force.

Infrastructure has also suffered immensely. At the peak of the storms,223 road sections and 24 bridges were rendered impassable,considerably disrupting transportation. While some routes have since been cleared, mobility remains a challenge in many affected areas. Power and water supply were interrupted in at least 154 cities and municipalities, and communication lines experienced temporary outages in 29 areas.

The agricultural sector has borne a heavy burden, with losses estimated at ₱484 million, impacting nearly 20,000 farmers and fisherfolk across 10 regions.Infrastructure damage is estimated to exceed ₱5 billion, with central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the Ilocos Region bearing the brunt of these losses.

In response to the widespread devastation, 154 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity. This declaration allows them to access emergency funds and implement price controls on essential goods. Educational institutions across over 1,000 localities suspended classes, and work in more than 900 goverment offices was halted to ensure public safety.Government assistance has been provided to over 474,000 families, totaling ₱365.3 million. However, this figure represents less than half of the 1.09 million families in need of support. Some regions, such as Calabarzon and the Negros island Region, are still in the process of reporting significant aid distribution.

Authorities are urging continued vigilance as monsoon rains are anticipated to persist in the coming days, particularly in western Luzon. Relief operations are actively underway, but officials have warned that the full restoration and recovery process in the most severely affected provinces could take several weeks.