Super Typhoon Enteng (Yagi), the fifth tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines in 2024, has triggered moderate to torrential rains across Luzon and Eastern Visayas. The storm made landfall in Casiguran, Aurora, and crossed parts of Luzon before moving over the West Philippine Sea, intensifying into a severe tropical storm, a typhoon, and eventually a super typhoon.
After developing inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on September 1, Enteng exited on September 4, three days later. Despite leaving PAR, Enteng continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, causing persistent rains.
The Marusay River in Calasiao, Pangasinan, reached a critical level of 7.4 feet on September 5 due to continuous rains. This prompted local disaster management offices to monitor the situation closely. Meanwhile, the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City surpassed its spilling level, posing a risk to low-lying areas along the Tullahan River, including parts of Quezon City, Valenzuela City, and Malabon City.
In Camarines Sur, the extent of the damage led to the province being declared under a state of calamity. Governor Luigi Villafuerte reported that the cyclone affected 866,431 individuals, accounting for 46.6% of the province’s population. This declaration will facilitate the mobilization of resources for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.
The severe weather has also resulted in significant human and economic losses. The Office of Civil Defense reported a death toll of 15 people, with 21 individuals still missing following Enteng’s onslaught. The Department of Agriculture estimated damage and losses in agriculture to be at least P350.85 million, affecting 13,623 farmers. The storm caused the loss of 14,814 metric tons of rice, corn, and other high-value crops, damaging approximately 8,893 hectares of farmlands.
In response to the agricultural damage, the Department of Agriculture announced it would deploy P202.86 million worth of assistance through its regional offices. This assistance aims to support affected farmers in recovering from the losses sustained due to the cyclone.
As Super Typhoon Enteng continues to impact the Philippines by enhancing the southwest monsoon, the nation remains on high alert. The combined efforts of local governments and national agencies are crucial in mitigating the storm’s devastating effects and aiding recovery efforts.