What's happened
Tropical Storm Fengshen caused at least five deaths in the Philippines, including a family crushed by a falling tree. The storm, with winds up to 90 kph, is moving away from Luzon toward Vietnam, amid ongoing recovery from recent earthquakes and flooding. Survivors are now seeking legal action against climate change contributors.
What's behind the headline?
The storm's impact highlights the Philippines' vulnerability to climate change-driven extreme weather. The fatalities caused by Fengshen, including a family crushed by a falling tree, underscore the deadly consequences of intensified storms. The ongoing legal action against Shell reflects a broader push to hold corporations accountable for climate change, which is likely to influence future policy and litigation. The storm's trajectory away from Luzon toward Vietnam suggests that climate-related disasters will increasingly affect regional stability and disaster preparedness. The Philippines' repeated exposure to such events emphasizes the urgent need for strengthened resilience and adaptation strategies, especially as climate change is expected to make storms more powerful and frequent.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports on the tragic death of a family due to Fengshen, emphasizing the storm's deadly impact and the ongoing legal case against Shell for climate change contributions. South China Morning Post and AP News detail the storm's meteorological aspects, including wind speeds, affected areas, and fatalities from falling trees and flooding. Al Jazeera provides additional context on the human toll, including the family tragedy and evacuations, illustrating the storm's severity and the country's ongoing recovery challenges. The contrasting perspectives highlight the storm's immediate human impact and the broader climate change implications, with some sources focusing on the meteorological details and others on legal and humanitarian responses.
How we got here
The Philippines is frequently hit by about 20 storms annually, with climate change increasing their intensity. Recent earthquakes have compounded the country's disaster recovery efforts. The storm Fengshen, also called Ramil, is the 18th cyclone this year, hitting a region still recovering from previous natural disasters.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Is the Impact of Tropical Storm Fengshen in the Philippines?
Tropical Storm Fengshen has recently affected the Philippines, causing fatalities, flooding, and widespread damage. Many are wondering how severe the storm was, how many people were impacted, and what the current situation looks like. Below, we answer the most common questions about Fengshen's impact and the ongoing recovery efforts in the region.
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What Are the Recent Natural Disasters in Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia has been hit by a series of natural disasters recently, including storms and earthquakes. These events have caused fatalities, flooding, and widespread damage. Curious about what's happening and how countries are responding? Below, you'll find answers to common questions about these crises and how residents can stay safe during such emergencies.
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Are Recent Storms Like Fengshen Linked to Climate Change?
With the Philippines experiencing deadly storms like Fengshen, many wonder if climate change is making these natural disasters worse. Recent events show an increase in storm intensity and frequency, raising questions about the connection between climate change and extreme weather. Below, we explore how climate change influences storms, why the Philippines is so affected, and what legal actions survivors are taking against climate contributors.
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How Are Recent Natural Disasters Affecting Global Recovery Efforts?
Recent natural disasters, including storms, earthquakes, and flooding, are significantly impacting recovery efforts worldwide. With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of these events, understanding their effects on local and global aid is more important than ever. In this article, we explore the current situation, challenges faced, and what can be done to improve resilience against future disasters.
More on these topics
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The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from