MANILA: The Philippines continues to grapple with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Man-yi, which has tragically claimed 12 lives, according to the latest reports from the national disaster agency.

The storm, which wreaked havoc over the weekend, has slowly subsided, but its effects are still being felt across the archipelago.

Packing a formidable punch with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h, Super Typhoon Man-yi was the sixth major storm to hit the country in just a month, part of a devastating weather phenomenon that has resulted in the loss of at least 175 lives and displaced thousands more.

The storm has not only destroyed homes but has also obliterated crops and livestock, posing a serious threat to food security in the region.

The most tragic incidents attributed to Typhoon Man-yi occurred in mountainous regions to the north of the capital, Manila.

A catastrophic landslide in Nueva Vizcaya province accounted for the deaths of seven individuals when their home was buried under tons of debris.

Additionally, in the coastal town of Dipaculao, three victims were tragically killed when a large boulder crushed their house after the storm made its second landfall.

As recovery efforts gear up, four individuals remain unaccounted for in the affected areas.

Recovery coordinator Ariel Nepomuceno stated, “We are now in the recovery period; people have started to repair their homes.” His optimism is echoed in the arrival of construction materials to hard-hit provinces, indicating a slow return to normalcy.

In Tuguegarao, the situation is improving as floodwaters, exacerbated by the release of water from nearby dams and the swelling of the Cagayan River, have begun to recede.

Reports indicate that water levels have decreased to just one foot (approximately 0.3 meters), allowing some evacuees to return home.

Schools and government offices have reopened, a sign of hope for residents eager to rebuild their lives.

While the Philippines typically faces around 20 significant storms and typhoons each year, the simultaneous occurrence of multiple severe weather events in such a brief period is alarming.

This compounding of disasters exacerbates the challenges for both local communities and government agencies tasked with emergency response and recovery.

As the nation begins to heal from the devastating impacts of Super Typhoon Man-yi, many are left wondering: how can the Philippines enhance its resilience against such catastrophic storms in the future?

The answer lies in improved infrastructure, effective disaster management strategies, and perhaps most importantly, greater support from the global community during these challenging times.