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Typhoon: Photos Show Devastation Caused by Powerful Storm

The last week has been a dismal one for Outsiders internationally, with natural disasters striking multiple locations around the world. For now, the Midwest picks up the pieces of what this week’s tornadoes have left behind. At the same time, photos from the Philippines show mass destruction left by Super Typhoon Rai as it struck the archipelago Friday.

Images captured uprooted trees, slaughtered homes and buildings, and masses of entangled power lines.

Others capture images of Filipino residents rummaging through the little bit of their homes the massive typhoon left behind.

As per CNN, super Typhoon Rai slammed into the Philippines on Friday amid search and rescue operations. The massive storm, the Southeast Asian country’s 15th this year, struck the coast as a Category 5. Although, it soon dropped to a Category 3. However, it nevertheless arrived with wind speeds reaching 160 miles per hour and gusts pushing 185 miles per hour. The storm’s arrival brought with it heavy rain and widespread flooding.

According to the outlet, 332,000 people evacuated from their homes as of Friday. Ahead of Friday’s efforts, preemptive evacuations and storm preparations began earlier in the week. The Philippines had already begun to endure heavy rains at the time.

Further, search and rescue efforts had already begun ahead of the typhoon’s landfall. However, now, communication and power remain knocked out in several parts of the country. With that, rescue efforts have become further complicated. Many officials cannot determine the extent of the damage due to the lack of open channels.

During Friday’s early hours, Philippine Senator and Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon told CNN two people had died so far. Unfortunately, more fatalities were reported later in the day as the storm ensued.

Typhoon Rai Expected to Endure Through Friday

While we have seen the typhoon make landfall already, it by no means signals the conclusion of the storm’s devastation.

CNN reports that the typhoon will likely remain strong for an additional 24 hours before easing up. As with Hurricane Ida back in the states several months ago, the Philippines’ neighboring countries, Vietnam and China’s Hainan province should expect to see heavy rainfall. Fortunately, however, not nearly as significant as on the Southeast Asian archipelago.

Prior to Friday’s rainfall, Tuesday had already seen the Agay-ayan River overflow in the central Misamis Oriental Province.

Reports state that the Philippines hold the world’s stage as one of our most climate-vulnerable nations. Therefore, human-induced climate change has likely resulted in super typhoons like Rai, as well as massive hurricanes and cyclones. Meanwhile, Rai’s heavy rains earlier this week also bring with the threat of not only floods but also landslides. Overall, it puts coastal populations at major risk.

As rescue and aid teams work with the country’s citizens to provide the best care and protection, Gordon said, “Filipinos are tough but this Super Typhoon is a bitter blow for millions of people who are still recovering from devastating storms, floods, and Covid-19 in the past year.”