4 Killed, Thousands Displaced in Philippines Amid Storm

At least four people have been killed after a tropical storm triggered severe flooding and a landslide in southern Philippines, officials said on Friday, forcing more than 6,000 residents to flee their homes and trapping families in two heavily flooded villages.

The tropical storm struck Surigao del Sur province in the country’s southeast late on Thursday after moving in from the Pacific Ocean. By Friday afternoon, the system was last tracked off the coast of Bohol province in central Philippines.

Meteorologists reported sustained winds of up to 55 kilometres per hour (34 mph), with gusts reaching 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph), as the storm continued to move across the region.

Local authorities said rising floodwaters and unstable terrain led to widespread disruption, with emergency teams deployed to assist affected communities and assess damage. The storm has further strained disaster response efforts in an area already vulnerable to extreme weather events.

The Philippines is among the world’s most disaster-prone countries, frequently hit by tropical storms and typhoons that cause deadly floods, landslides, and large-scale displacement.