Tropical Storm Trami made landfall on the northeastern coast of Luzon island, resulting in at least 24 deaths and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

A severe tropical storm has devastated the Philippines, triggering widespread flooding and landslides that have claimed at least 24 lives, according to local authorities on Thursday.

More than 150,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes after Tropical Storm Trami, locally known as Tropical Cyclone Kristine, made landfall on Luzon, the country’s main island in the northeastern region of the archipelago.

The majority of the fatalities have been attributed to drowning and landslides, which were the main causes of death. Trami struck near the town of Divilacan in Isabela province, leading authorities to order the closure of schools and businesses along its projected path.

The national weather service reported that by 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) on Thursday, the storm’s eye had passed over the northern Philippines' mountainous regions with maximum sustained wind speeds of 95 kilometers (59 miles) per hour.

The central Bicol region, located southeast of Manila, experienced the most severe impact, particularly in Naga City, where most of the casualties occurred. Brigadier-General Andre Dizon, the regional police chief, informed reporters that the death toll in the Bicol region alone had reached 20, though the final figure was still being confirmed.

Rescue operations are underway in the hardest-hit areas, with members of the Philippine Coast Guard and military leading efforts. Around 1,500 police officers have also been deployed to assist with disaster response measures, according to Dizon.

Although thousands of villagers trapped by floodwaters have been rescued by government forces, many more are still awaiting help, particularly in the Bicol region, where some residents were stranded on rooftops. Dizon expressed the challenge of coordinating rescues, noting, "We can't rescue them all at once because there are so many, and we need additional motorboats."

Efforts are ongoing to deliver essential supplies such as food and water to those who remain trapped but cannot be evacuated immediately.

The national weather service has issued warnings of heavy to intense rainfall, with the potential for more flooding, landslides, and storm surges in northern areas.

On average, the Philippines faces around 20 tropical storms each year, often accompanied by heavy rainfall, strong winds, and landslides.