Progress made amid challenges in rescue work for Southern Philippines storms

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"So far data have been slowly coming in. Identification has been taking place already." Khuzaimah S. Maranda, a project coordinator at Tapukan Farmers Movement for Progress and Concord Incorporated, told CGTN from Iligan City, Southern Philippines. Her organization is at the forefront of the rescue work for one of the deadliest storms that hit the Philippines recently.

Tropical Storm Tembin, known as "Vinta" in Southern Philippines, killed at least 200 people. Officials say scores of people are still missing.

CGTN‍

"Since day one, we have difficulty identifying people from the river, but now we come to know who they are," said Maranda. Progress has been made as joint forces of government, the military, and community have been helping to rescue civilians affected by the storm.

However, there are still challenges for the rescue work as the tropical storm triggered landslides and floods across southern areas. “The mud has covered the road. Landslides have occurred in most provinces," Maranda said.

Rescue workers are struggling to reach remote areas. Meanwhile, they are restoring power in a bid to reach communities where communications have been cut off. "We also have difficulty for access for communication since power was out," Maranda added. "There is difficulty in contacting the local government in those areas to give us the latest updates."

The Philippines is prone to storms, and every year, around 20 typhoons and storms hit the country. But “the Philippines has not experienced a storm of this magnitude in a long time," reported CGTN correspondent Silkina Ahluwalia.

Rescuers evacuate residents during heavy flooding in Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines, December 22, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Although the Philippines is located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, Mindanao region usually escapes the wrath of devastating storms. Maranda pointed out that the storm came as a big surprise to community on the Mindanao Island. "Local governments on the Mindanao Island were not even prepared in handling this disaster," she added.

Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur are hard-hit where floodwaters from a mountain washed away several riverside houses. The storm has left thousands of people homeless. They are currently living in the emergency camp and are likely to spend New Year there.