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Huge rescue effort in Greek villages after deadly storms
Helicopters and lifeboats have been deployed to reach hundreds of stranded villagers in central Greece, as the death toll from deadly flooding rose to seven, authorities said Friday. Firefighters worked alongside the army to reach villages cut off by rising water levels, which have transformed roads into rivers and left houses submerged in the central Thessaly region. "We almost died yesterday, we didn't have drinking water or electricity", Mina Mprakratsi told AFP from a lifeboat, after being evacuated from her flooded house on Friday. Fierce storms have battered Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria following a period of extreme heat and devastating wildfires -- the kind of extreme weather climate experts say is becoming more frequent because of human-induced climate change. Two elderly women and a 69-year-old man were reported dead Thursday, bringing the death toll to seven after torrential rains lashed parts of central Greece from Monday evening to Thursday. "It's one of the most difficult moments of my life, the water came into the house yesterday evening (Wednesday), the children are with a neighbour", local farmer Eleftheria Kotarela told AFP. At least six people were reported missing in the Magnesia and Karditsa areas, 330 kilometres (205 miles) north of Athens. "It is almost certain that other people will be found dead", said Christodoulos Makris, a farmer who fled to a neighboring village by tractor on Thursday. 'Extreme phenomenon' Storm Daniel, which has lashed the country for several days, has been called an "extreme phenomenon" by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Flooding affected the port city of Volos, and the towns of Karditsa and Trikala further inland and several villages, after more than a year's worth of rain fell in 24 hours this week. Nearly 200 tourists stranded in central Greece have been evacuated by boat in recent days, firefighters said. The heavy rains and flooding follow devastating fires in Greece this summer that killed at least 26 people. As the world warms, the atmosphere contains more water vapor which increases the risk of heavy precipitation in some parts of the world, notably in Asia, Western Europe and Latin America. Combined with other factors such as urbanization and land-use planning, these more intense rainfall events contribute to flooding. Severe flooding in neighboring Turkey and Bulgaria this week left 12 people dead. The post Huge rescue effort in Greek villages after deadly storms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On Laguna Lake tragedy
A tragedy occurred on Laguna de Bay last 27 July with the sinking of the MB Aya Express that was battered by strong winds right after it set sail from Binangonan toward Talim Island in the province of Rizal. A total of 27 passengers reportedly drowned, while 41 survived, bringing the total number of passengers to 68, in a boat with a maximum capacity of 42. The deaths included the elderly and the young, making it the worst boat tragedy in the history of Rizal. Laguna de Bay is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines, and it is common for boats to traverse it to get to the different towns surrounding and within it. The largest island in the middle of the lake is Talim Island, which has a population of around 40,000. This is a fishing town with mountain peaks visited by urban trekkers. Notably, Talim Island was once proposed for an airport near Manila that would have been connected by a bridge from Pasig or Taguig. The project did not fly, and the government opted for the San Miguel Corporation-sponsored airport project in Bulakan, Bulacan. With the promise of development for Talim Island being remote, the mode of getting to and from the island remains to be “traditional.” Motor bancas set sail without filling out the passenger manifest, as required by the DOTr’s Marina. The MB Aya Express left its port of origin without any knowledge of the storm signal or sailing orders from the local substation of the Philippine Coast Guard or PCG, which was situated far from the port. It was evident that the tailwinds of typhoon “Egay” were still hammering the metro and utmost safety precautions must be taken despite the absence of rainfall. It was also reported that the boat captain did not have a license to speak of. A survivor recounted that the passengers panicked because of the strong winds that eventually caused one of the wooden outriggers to break. The passengers then all ran to one side, causing the boat to tilt and capsize. Since the sides of the boat were covered with tarpaulin to shield the passengers from the rain and waves, these trapped the passengers in the boat. Even seasoned swimmers would have drowned. The incident led to the death of children as young as five, and of respected elderly women of Talim Island. Immediately after the news broke out, Marina suspended the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate of the boat owner. The captain was apprehended and is facing charges. The two PCG officials assigned to the substation were relieved of their duties. Consequently, Senate and House resolutions were filed to initiate investigative hearings, in aid of legislation, that will be publicized. While these efforts would not bring back the departed, nor erase the trauma of the survivors, this may prevent the same from happening again on Laguna Lake and other waterways around the country. In the spirit of transparency, our insurance company, Milestone Guaranty and Assurance Corp., is the group personal accident insurer of the boat owner. As we have signified to the victims and their families, we have provided financial support in humanitarian consideration to help alleviate the pain of loss and the trauma experienced. It is our hope that the families and victims of the sunken MB Aya Express will be able to recover from this tragedy and continue with their lives, although this is easier said than done. Rest assured, our insurance company shall assist them to the best of our ability, and it is our prayer that no such tragedy takes place again in our country’s waterways. *** For comments, email him at darren.dejesus@gmail.com The post On Laguna Lake tragedy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Egay’ leaves 5 dead at least
Typhoon ‘Egay’ has left P53.1 million in damage and losses to the country’s farm sector after it battered the northern Philippines, affecting 328,356 people or 89,639 families. As of press time Thursday, the death toll climbed to five — four in the Cordillera region and one from CALABARZON, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said four of the deaths were recorded after a landslide hit their houses in Buguias town, Benguet. Authorities confirmed that the fatalities were a mother and her three children. Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson Edgar Posadas said one reported death in Ilocos Sur was being validated by the authorities. Typhoon Egay’s aftermath was felt throughout the 11 regions of the country, with some 26,697 residents from Luzon being forced to evacuate. The Department of Agriculture reported damage and losses to agriculture due to typhoon “Egay” at an estimated P53.1 million, with 2,303 farmers affected — reflecting a production loss of 1,871 metric tons across 3,185 agricultural areas. The NDRRMC assessment was based on initial reports from the DA regional offices in CAR, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Caraga regions. The initial cost of damage to infrastructure was estimated at P1.7 million. Meanwhile, PAGASA said it was monitoring another tropical cyclone, which was last tracked 1,585 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas still outside the Philippine area of responsibility. PAGASA said the tropical cyclone may enter PAR between Saturday night and Sunday, but it will have “no direct effect on any part of the country yet.” The post ‘Egay’ leaves 5 dead at least appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NDRRMC: 5 died, over 328K people affected by Typhoon Egay
At least five people reportedly died as Typhoon Egay battered the northern Philippines, affecting 328,356 people or 89,639 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported Thursday. In its latest situational report, NDRRMC said at least 4 individuals were reported died in the Cordillera region, while the other one was a resident of the Calabarzon region. In a televised public briefing, NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said the four deaths were recorded after a landslide hit their houses in Buguias town, Benguet. Authorities confirmed that the fatalities were a mother and her 3 children. Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson Edgar Posadas said one reported death in Ilocos Sur is also being validated by the authorities. Typhoon Egay’s aftermath was felt throughout the 11 regions of the country, with some 26,697 residents from Luzon being forced to evacuate. They are currently staying in 306 activated temporary shelters. The Department of Agriculture on Thursday reported that damage and losses to agriculture due to Typhoon Egay have been estimated at P53.1 million, with 2,303 farmers affected—reflecting a production loss of 1,871 metric tons. The state weather bureau PAGASA said Typhoon Egay is now out of the Philippine area of responsibility. The typhoon exit PAR at 8 a.m. and was on its way to the Taiwan Strait and China. Egay was last tracked over 255 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and 185 kph gusts. The post NDRRMC: 5 died, over 328K people affected by Typhoon Egay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Death toll from ‘Egay’ rises to six
The death toll from Typhoon Egay has risen to six, official figures showed Thursday, as the storm swept towards southeastern China. Egay battered the main island of Luzon on Wednesday, toppling trees, knocking out power, and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from coastal communities. Strong winds and heavy rain pummelled the lightly populated Babuyan islands and northern provinces, triggering flooding and landslides. A mother and her three children were killed Wednesday morning when a landslide struck their house in Buguias municipality in the mountainous province of Benguet, local disaster official Satur Payangdo told AFP. Five other people in the house were rescued. That took the death toll to six after a woman was killed by a falling coconut tree in Isabela province and a 16-year-old boy was crushed to death by a landslide in Baguio city. Egay had been a super typhoon as it swept across the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday but weakened as it neared the Philippines. The storm is expected to weaken further as it moves across the South China Sea before making landfall in southeast China on Friday. While Egay will bypass Taiwan, heavy rains related to the typhoon led to the drowning death of a 57-year-old woman who was trapped with two others when a mountain river overflowed, the island's emergency operations center said. The rains also caused power outages in around 43,000 households, though most have been restored. The post Death toll from ‘Egay’ rises to six appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mercury hits new highs as heat waves scorch the globe
Temperatures reached new highs on Monday as heatwaves and wildfires scorched swathes of the Northern Hemisphere, forcing the evacuation of 1,200 children close to a Greek seaside resort. Health authorities have sounded alarms from North America to Europe and Asia, urging people to stay hydrated and shelter from the burning sun, in a stark reminder of the effects of global warming. Near Athens, a forest fire flared in strong winds by the popular beach town of Loutraki where the mayor said holiday camps for youngsters had come under threat. "We have saved 1,200 children who were in the holiday camps," said mayor Giorgos Gkionis. Emergency services were also battling wildfires in Kouvaras and the resorts of Lagonissi, Anavyssos and Saronida near Athens. Several homes were burned in the area, according to footage from public broadcaster ERT. "The extreme weather ... is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy and water supplies," said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. "This underlines the increasing urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible." 'We thought we'd escape' In Rome, where temperatures hit a near-record 39C on Monday, American Colman Peavy could not believe the heat as he sipped a cappuccino at a cafe with his wife Ana at the start of a two-week vacation. "We're from Texas and it's really hot there, we thought we would escape the heat but it's even hotter here," said the 30-year-old. It was already the world's hottest June on record, according to the EU weather monitoring service, and July looks to be readying to challenge its own record. China reported a new high for mid-July in the northwest of the country, where temperatures reached 52.2C in the Xinjiang region's village of Sanbao, breaking the previous high of 50.6C set six years ago. Heatstroke alerts had been issued in 32 out of Japan's 47 prefectures, mainly in central and southwestern regions. At least 60 people were treated for heatstroke, media reported, including 51 taken to hospital in Tokyo. In Cyprus, where temperatures are expected to remain above 40C through Thursday, a 90-year-old man died as a result of heatstroke and three other seniors were hospitalised, health officials said. 'Oppressive' US heat In western and southern US states, which are used to high temperatures, more than 80 million people were under advisories as a "widespread and oppressive" heatwave roasted the region. California's Death Valley, often among the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record 52C Sunday afternoon. In Arizona, state capital Phoenix tied its record of 18 consecutive days above 43C (109F), as temperatures hit 45C (113F) early Monday afternoon. The US National Weather Service predicts similar highs at least through Sunday, while warning of overnight lows remaining dangerously elevated, above 32C (90F). "We're used to 110, 112 (degrees Fahrenheit)... But not the streaks," Nancy Leonard, a 64-year-old retiree from the nearby suburb of Peoria, told AFP. "You just have to adapt." In Southern California, several wildfires have ignited over the past few days in rural areas east of Los Angeles. The biggest, named the Rabbit Fire, had burned nearly 8,000 acres and was 35 percent contained on Monday morning, according to authorities. In neighbouring Canada, 882 wildfires were active on Monday, including 579 considered out of control, authorities said. Smoke from the fires has descended on the United States again, prompting air quality alerts across much of the northeast. Historic highs forecast In Europe, Italians were warned to prepare for "the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time", with a red alert issued for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence. Spain enjoyed little reprieve with temperatures of 47C in the southern town of Villarrobledo. Along with the heat, parts of Asia have also been battered by torrential rain. South Korea's president vowed Monday to "completely overhaul" the country's approach to extreme weather, after at least 40 people were killed in recent flooding and landslides during monsoon rains, which are forecast to continue through Wednesday. The post Mercury hits new highs as heat waves scorch the globe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Policeman kills ‘battered wife’ inside Naga City Police Station
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A policeman of Naga City Police Station shot and killed his wife, who was lodging a complaint inside the station’s Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 25, 2022. Police Lieutenant Colonel Junnel Caadlawon, chief of Naga City Police Station, identified the off-duty policeman as Police Staff Sergeant […] The post Policeman kills ‘battered wife’ inside Naga City Police Station appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
PNVF forms coaching staff for world meet
Seasoned coach Dante Alinsunurin will make a comeback as one of the deputies for the national men’s team as host Philippines pulls out all the stops to parade a competitive squad against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025......»»
Chinese Diplomat Liu Jianchao Meets With Singapore s Leaders
singapore - Liu Jianchao, the senior diplomat widely expected to become China's next foreign minister, said "the world needs connectivity, not decoupling," during a four-day visit to Singapore.Liu, who heads the international department of the Communist Party, was in the city-state to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the country's incoming leader, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.During a s.....»»
Saso, Pagdanganan seek redemption at Ford Championship
Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan are determined to bounce back from their recent LPGA Tour performances as they mix it up with the world’s best in the Ford Championship......»»
Philippines logs 40 pertussis deaths this year
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Forty children have died of whopping cough, a respiratory infection also called pertussis, since this year, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has reported. The DOH said in a statement on Wednesday that cases have continued to increase since the start of this year, recording 568 cases from Jan. 1 to March 16. "The total number of cases for the same period in 2023 was.....»»
PNVF forms coaching sataff for world meet
Seasoned coach Dante Alinsunurin will make a comeback as one of the deputies for the national men’s team as host Philippines pulls out all the stops to parade a competitive squad against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025......»»
Iraqis display full might vs Philippines XI
Iraq rained goals on host Philippines in a 5-0 shutout that pushed the Filipinos to the brink in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Tuesday at the packed Rizal Memorial Stadium......»»
PLDT, Smart named among world’s leading employers
PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. have been named among the Top One Percent of Leading Employers of 2023 by German firm Institute of Research and Data Aggregation......»»
Unlock business success at Franchise Asia Philippines Expo
The Franchise Asia Philippines Expo 2024 is set to hold a series of dynamic seminars designed to empower entrepreneurs, investors and business enthusiasts with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the ever-evolving world of franchising. Slated from April 12 to 14 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, these seminars offer invaluable insights into key aspects of franchising and business growth......»»
Pertussis or whooping cough: 40 child deaths so far this year – DOH
MANILA, Philippines — Assistant Health Secretary Albert Domingo reported on Wednesday that as of March 16 this year, some 40 children had died of whooping cough — a respiratory infection also called pertussis. An increase in new pertussis cases nationwide had been observed nationwide, with 28 cases reported from March 10 to 16. READ: What.....»»
Xdinary Heroes make ‘extraordinary’ concert in Manila
Members of the South Korean rock band Xdinary Heroes showed that they were no ordinary musicians during their first world tour, “Break The Brake” last March 23 at the New Frontier Theater......»»
Marian Rivera takes on projects that her children can watch
With her upcoming primetime show, “My Guardian Alien,” Marian Rivera has added sci-fi to the growing array of genres — from drama, fantasy, romance, and action to historical and comedy — that the Kapuso actress has successfully ventured into thus far......»»
Marcos Jr. eyes stronger maritime ties with India
The Philippines is seeking stronger maritime security cooperation with India to ensure the safety of seafarers from both nations as the world’s oceans are becoming more dangerous for commercial shipping, President Marcos said......»»
The significance of Holy Thursday
In the Christian world, there are three very popular scenes found in many Filipino homes......»»