Typhoon Gaemi is wreaking havoc in the Philippines.
The extreme weather has caused severe flooding and heavy rain, resulting in at least a dozen deaths, according to Die Presse.
In response to the storm, Philippine authorities have closed most government buildings and all schools in the greater Manila area. The stock exchange also suspended trading following a recommendation from the disaster management agency.
The Philippine weather service, Pagasa, reported that Typhoon Gaemi has intensified the southwest monsoon, which had already brought heavy rainfall since July 11.
In the past two weeks, 12 people have died due to flash floods and landslides. Tens of thousands have been left homeless and are now housed in evacuation centers.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on X that the government is providing financial assistance to 770,000 affected people across the country. Around 4,500 rescue workers are ready for search, rescue, and recovery operations.
In Manila, water levels reached several meters high in some areas, leading to street closures.
Pagasa reported that Typhoon Gaemi is traveling with wind speeds of up to 155 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 190 kilometers per hour.
The German Weather Service noted that the typhoon and hurricane season is in full swing, with Gaemi having developed into a full-blown typhoon in the Philippine Sea.
Impact on Taiwan and China
Typhoon Gaemi is also affecting Taiwan and China, with extreme hurricane-force gusts, very high waves, flash floods, flooding, and mudslides expected.
The Philippines experiences an average of about 20 typhoons each year.
The worst storm to date, Typhoon Haiyan, claimed over 6,300 lives in November 2013.
