Philippines is bracing for Typhoon Kong-rey, expected to bring heavy rainfall and possibly intensify into a super typhoon, according to the state weather bureau on Tuesday.
Still reeling from the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Trami, authorities reported that the death toll from Trami has climbed to 125, with 28 people still missing. Emergency responders continue efforts to locate the missing and repair infrastructure damage, including roads, bridges, and homes.
The state weather bureau has warned that Kong-rey could cause severe flooding and rain-triggered landslides, particularly in the northern regions. Residents are urged “to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.”
Kong-rey, with sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts up to 160 km/h, was spotted 565 km northeast of Catanduanes in the Bicol region, southeast of Manila. The typhoon is moving west-northwestward and is projected to turn northwestward on Wednesday.
Many residents in Bicol are still displaced, with their homes submerged under floodwaters and mud due to Trami. This new storm marks the 12th typhoon to impact the Philippines this year, and Kong-rey is expected to reach its closest point to Batanes, the northernmost province, at peak intensity.
The bureau also noted an increasing likelihood that Kong-rey could reach super typhoon status as it approaches. It is forecasted to exit the Philippines by Thursday night or early Friday.
