Tropical Storm Fengshen Kills 8, Displaces 47,000 in Philippines

Tropical Storm Fengshen, locally known as Ramil, has caused significant destruction across the Philippines, resulting in at least eight deaths and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. A tragic incident near Pitogo town in Quezon province involved a family of five, including two children, who were killed when a large tree toppled onto their house. The storm brought heavy flooding and landslides to several regions, including central islands like Samar and Panay, leading to widespread displacement and infrastructure disruption such as flight cancellations. Meteorological authorities reported sustained winds reaching up to 90 km/h as Fengshen moved across Luzon and Manila Bay, prompting emergency declarations and precautionary measures. This severe weather event comes as the Philippines continues recovery efforts from recent devastating earthquakes, compounding the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to the increasing intensity and destructiveness of such storms, which regularly impact the country with about 20 typhoons annually.