Catastrophic floods have left people trapped on their roofs

Heavy rain caused by an approaching tropical storm inundated cities in the eastern Philippines overnight, causing widespread flooding.

People were trapped, many on rooftops, as urgent requests were made for a rescue operation.

Public schools and government offices on Luzon, the largest island, were closed to protect millions of people as Tropical Storm Trami approached from the Pacific Ocean.

With sustained winds of 53 mph and gusts of up to 65 mph, Trami was located about 193 miles east of Baler in Aurora.

Forecasters predicted up to 8 inches of rain could fall in a single day, threatening vulnerable provinces in the storm’s path. The storm is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday and pass through northern Luzon before moving into the South China Sea.

Thousands of people have already taken refuge in shelters.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. canceled planned meetings on Wednesday and called an emergency meeting to address the crisis.

Warnings were issued in more than two dozen northern and central provinces, including Metro Manila, where heavy rains were expected despite the capital not being in the direct path of the storm.

“We need national intervention,” said Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur province. Radio DZRKH.

He said his district currently requires about 200 rescue boats, while emergency services can currently provide only 50.

“Last night my phone was full of constant calls and text messages from people asking, ‘Help us, save us,’” he said. “It’s sad when you feel helpless because of this flood of problems.”

Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro announced that military aircraft and ships are on standby for evacuation and disaster response. He also mentioned that if necessary, additional airlift capacity could be provided by countries such as Singapore.

Former Vice President Leni Robredo, who lives in Naga City, wrote on Facebook about the escalating situation.

“People have been stuck on the roofs of their houses for hours,” Robredo said. “Many of our rescue trucks have stalled due to the flooding.”

Flooding has already claimed lives in Masbate province, where a man was killed by a falling tree branch. Seven more people, including three fishermen who ventured ashore despite the storm warning, remain missing.

Thousands of ferry passengers were stranded at seaports as inter-island ferry services were suspended and the coast guard banned fishing boats from going to sea.

In Quezon province, Gov. Angelina Tan said floodwaters reached nearly 10 feet in some areas, forcing the evacuation of at least 8,000 people.

Coast Guard personnel have been rescuing residents of flooded villages in the eastern provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and remote regions since Tuesday.

The Philippines is very prone to natural disasters, with about 20 typhoons occurring every year.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country is also prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, left more than 7,300 people dead or missing and displaced millions of people.

“We are doing everything we can, but the challenges are enormous,” Villafuerte added.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.