Tropical Storm Trami makes landfall, floods northern Philippine provinces

MANILA: As disaster relief organizations prepare for more rain and floods, Tropical Storm Trami made landfall in the northern region of the country’s main island of Luzon, making it necessary for schools and government buildings to close for a second day right.

The state weather agency reported in its 8am ( 12am GMT ) weather bulletin that Trami is moving westward across Isabela province towards the South China Sea with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 160 kilometers per hour.

It warned of heavy to extreme rainfall, flooding, floods, and wind boom for some northern regions.

Locally known as Kristine, the wind has now killed at least 14 people as it barreled towards the Philippines, including 12 in northern Naga area, authorities said on Wednesday.

As floodwaters flooded as high as the buildings of house houses, thousands of residents in the northern Bicol region have fled their homes.

The main banks ended all economic and foreign exchange trading.

The Philippines usually records an average of 20 tropical storms periodically, usually resulting in heavy rains, strong winds and dangerous floods.