Philippines is facing  exceptionally challenging tropical cyclone (TC) season, with successive cyclones reaching unprecedented locations and scales. Local authorities, often impacted themselves, are overwhelmed as they simultaneously respond to the crisis and coordinate rescue efforts for affected families.

Over three weeks, three consecutive cyclones have affected nearly 9 million people across 17 of the country’s 18 regions. At the peak of displacement, over 700,000 individuals were reported to have left their homes for temporary refuge in evacuation centers, informal settlements and hosted by relatives and friends. The number of casualties has risen with 160 reported deaths, 135 injured, and 21 missing.

On 22 October, TC Trami (local name Kristine), brought heavy to intense rains across the Philippines resulting in widespread flooding and landslides. In the early hours of 24 October, TC Trami made landfall in Divilacan, Isabela as a Severe Tropical Storm (STS) with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h. TC Trami brought torrential rains that caused widespread flooding and landslides in several parts of the country, particularly in Region 5, 4A and 2.

As STS Trami exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on 25 October, TC Kong-rey (local name Leon), entered PAR on 27 October. TC Kong-rey intensified into a super typhoon and its track came close to the Batanes Group of Islands in Luzon on 30 October. Super Typhoon Kong-rey impacted several provinces that had already been affected by STS Trami, particularly Batanes, which is still recovering from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Krathon, local name Julian in September 2024.

On 7 November, Typhoon Yinxing (local name Marce) made landfall in extreme northern Luzon as the third cyclone within three weeks, prompting Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal #4 (indicating ‘very intense typhoon’ conditions) across the northern portion of mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Apayao, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte. Based on the outlook published by the state weather bureau PAGASA, more tropical cyclones are expected within the next two weeks with the possibility of tracks veering further south. With this forecast, the strain on response capacities continues to escalate, necessitating sustained support and preparedness for intensified impacts across vulnerable regions.