Typhoon batters Philippines, 14 die, 1M affected

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The death toll from Typhoon Gaemi and the southwest monsoon has risen to at least 14, with eight officially confirmed, the Philippines's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Thursday.

It revealed that over 1 million people were affected, with significant damage to agriculture, including 1.3 million hectares of crops and estimated losses of $165,419, Manila-based Phil Star reported.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has been particularly hard hit, with over 567,000 people affected.

In Taiwan, Typhoon Gaemi has claimed at least three lives and injured more than 220 people as it continues to strengthen and approach the island.

The Central Emergency Operations Center and local authorities reported that two fatalities and 227 injuries had been recorded across various parts of the country, the Taipei-based Focus Taiwan news outlet reported.

The center has warned that the typhoon's impact will intensify from Wednesday night as Gaemi is expected to make landfall on Taiwan's northeastern coast.

Authorities have already announced school and office closures for all 22 cities and counties across Taiwan for Thursday.

In China, Typhoon Gaemi has prompted the evacuation of 156,800 residents in Fujian Province, with 73 ferry routes suspended and 97 flights canceled.

Over 29,000 people from fishing rafts have been moved to shore, and 733 fishing boats have sought shelter, Beijing-based Xinhua news reported.

The typhoon made landfall in Taiwan's Yilan County, causing two deaths and 201 injuries.

Northern Japan also is facing severe weather, with the Meteorological Agency issuing a top-level heavy rain warning for Sakata City and Yuza Town in Yamagata provinces.

Torrential rain has caused significant flooding, with 110 millimeters falling near Yuza Town in an hour and over 200 millimeters in neighboring cities, Tokyo-based NHK news reported.

Weather officials predict continued heavy rain in the Sea of Japan coastal areas of Tohoku through Friday, with risks of further landslides, river overflow, and flooding.