Quick Rescue Rush in the Mountains After Typhoon Yutu
When Typhoon Yutu let loose on Luzon with 140 km/h winds, things got pretty intense for the folks in the Mountain Province. Our soldiers and disaster‑response teams rolled out at night and cut through blocked roads to reach a remote spot where a highway department building got buried in a sudden avalanche of earth.
What Happened Inside the Menace‑Filled Building
Despite the chaos, the building didn’t crumble completely. Doors were hanging open and there were clear windows, so the team thought, “Maybe someone’s still breathing!”
- 20 men working as laborers and an engineer were trapped.
- Three security guards and six or seven locals sheltering from the storm were on site.
- At least 30 people were rescued after a tense crawl under rubble.
Meanwhile, a dead body was found, adding to the toll—seven people lost their lives in the Cordillera region on Tuesday.
Why The Losses Are So Heart‑Wrenching
Out of those who went missing: six died in landslides, one drowned in a swollen river, and four were kids aged between 5 and 11. One unfortunate soul in Isabela got electrocuted—deal‑with‑that difficulties.
Typhoon Yutu vs. The Big Bad Super Typhoon Mangkhut
Yutu hit just six weeks after Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which already killed more than 70 people with up to 50 landslides in the Cordillera. Yutu was a good reminder that the mountains are fragile and we never get to rest right after a crisis.
Weather Snapshot: Then vs. Now
Yutu’s peak 140 km/h gusts (87 mph) were only the second-best over the last five days when the storm, as a super typhoon, crushed into the Northern Mariana Islands with a huge editing 230 km/h (142 mph) blast that injured 130 and caused major damage. By Wednesday, Yutu had loosened into a tropical storm with winds at 102 km/h (63 mph) and gusts of 130 km/h (81 mph).
Takeaway: Stay Prepared, Stay Safe
The yardsticks of disaster show that even twice as strong winds can hit unsuspecting communities. The disaster response teams dealt with the challenges calmly, cutting through rock and Mud, but the message is clear—if you see plants swaying, start checking the load of your gear.
Thank you, folks, for the bravery of our rescue crews and the resilience of the community. Let’s keep that spirit alive, and remember: Stay alert, stay safe, and stay hopeful.
