TROPICAL STORM KILLS 8, DISPLACES THOUSANDS IN PHILIPPINES AFTER FLOODING AND LANDSLIDE. (PHOTO).

 Tropical storm kills 8, displaces thousands in Philippines after flooding and landslide

 A tropical storm unleashed widespread flooding and triggered a deadly landslide across parts of the southern Philippines, killing at least eight people and forcing more than 28,000 residents from their homes. The storm made landfall late Thursday in the southeastern province of Surigao del Sur, bringing torrential rain that inundated low-lying communities and left some residents trapped inside their houses in heavily flooded villages. By Friday night, the system had weakened into a tropical depression as it moved toward the central Philippines, but dangerous conditions persisted across multiple provinces.

Four members of a family — a couple and their two children — were killed when a landslide struck their makeshift home in a quarry area of southern Cagayan de Oro city after intense rainfall destabilized the hillside. Elsewhere, three people drowned in floodwaters in Iligan city, while another resident died after being swept away in Carmen town in Agusan del Norte province. In Iligan, floodwaters rose so rapidly that families were forced to seek refuge on upper floors of their homes. One resident made a desperate radio call early Friday, pleading for help as water trapped her family and several others inside their house. Emergency responders were dispatched as rescues continued in the worst-hit villages.

The storm displaced tens of thousands of people, with most evacuees taking shelter in schools, gyms, and other emergency facilities across southern and central regions. Authorities suspended classes in numerous areas as a precaution, while transportation was severely disrupted. Rough seas forced the temporary shutdown of interisland ferry and cargo services, leaving more than 7,400 passengers and port workers stranded at dozens of seaports nationwide. The storm’s massive rain and wind band stretched hundreds of kilometers, amplifying its impact even as wind speeds gradually weakened.

Forecasters said the system was expected to continue losing strength as it tracked northwest across the central islands, but officials warned that residual rains could still trigger flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas. The Philippines frequently faces destructive weather systems, with dozens of storms and typhoons hitting the country each year. Combined with its exposure to earthquakes and volcanic activity, the nation remains highly susceptible to natural disasters, particularly in rural and coastal communities where infrastructure is often fragile.