Another tropical storm swept across the Philippines on Friday, leaving at least four dead and forcing more than 433,000 residents to evacuate flood- and landslide-prone villages already battered by successive typhoons.
Bualoi, which weakened after making landfall late Thursday in the town of San Policarpo in Eastern Samar province, brought sustained winds of 110 kph (68 mph), widespread flooding, two minor landslides, and power outages across east-central provinces, the country’s disaster mitigation agency reported.
Evacuations included Albay province, where villagers living near the slopes of Mayon, one of the nation’s most active volcanoes, were moved to safety due to potential volcanic mudflows.
The four fatalities occurred in Masbate province: three were struck separately by a falling tree, a collapsed wall, and flying debris, while a fourth died after being hit by lightning. Masbate Governor Ricardo Kho said roads and ports remained blocked, hampering relief efforts.
“We need clearing operations because most of our road networks are not really passable for food and health assistance,” he said.
