Tropical Storm Seniang: Thousands Evacuated As Strong Winds Hit Southern Philippines, 2 Dead

Thousands of people were evacuated after floods inundated the southern Philippines on Monday as tropical storm Seniang intensified and made landfall over Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur. Two people died of accidents related to the storm, while 17 others were injured, Inquirer, a local newspaper reported.

Nearly 4,000 people were shifted to temporary shelters in Surigao del Sur, which lies about 800 miles southeast of Manila, Governor Johnny Pimentel told Agence France-Presse (AFP). Manila airport reportedly said that two flights from the capital to the region were cancelled on Monday. The storm, which is moving west at a speed of nearly 6 miles an hour, is reportedly expected to cross the central Philippines in the next two days.

"The rains are very strong and there has been no let-up in the last three days," Pimentel said, according to AFP, adding that as many as 6,000 more people may have to be evacuated during the day.

Raul Villocino, a disaster response officer for Compostela Valley province, reportedly said that two landslides were reported in Barangays San Jose in the province of Antique, and Mt. Diwalwal in Monkayo, damaging over a dozen homes. However, there were no reports of any injuries.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned boats against going out to sea, fearing the storm could whip up five-meter-high waves. The storm reportedly packed winds gusting up to 50 miles an hour.

The tropical storm was moving toward northwest Mindanao, the second largest island and was expected to be 60 miles northwest of Cagayan de Oro City by Tuesday. It was expected to be about 105 miles from Dipolog City as it moved toward Palawan on Wednesday morning, PAGASA said, adding that the storm was expected to exit the Philippines by Thursday.

Earlier this month, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Hagupit, which damaged nearly 50,000 homes, and killed at least 19 and injured 916 residents in the island nation, which is still recovering from Typhoon Haiyan, which left over 7,300 people dead last year.