Trami storm kills 7 in Philippines

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) – Seven people were killed and scores more displaced when tropical Storm Tram hit the Philippines on Wednesday, with rescuers navigating chest-deep floodwaters to help thousands of stranded residents on the roof evacuate as it barreled towards the east coast.

Heavy rainfall from the storm has turned streets into rivers, inundated entire villages, and buried several vehicles under volcanic sediment released by the deluge, The Manila Times reported.

According to police reports, at least 32,000 people in the northern Philippines have evacuated their homes as the storm approaches Luzon, the country's main island.

Typhoons are common in this region during this time of year. However, a recent study indicated that they are forming increasingly closer to coastlines, intensifying faster, and lasting longer over land due to climate change.