Photo courtesy from Danilyn Aguilar

Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) has battered large parts of the Philippines with intense rains and gusty winds, submerging towns, cutting off highways, and forcing thousands of residents into evacuation centers across the Visayas and Luzon.

Floodwaters Engulf Capiz Towns

In Capiz, an aerial survey on Sunday revealed widespread flooding that has left entire barangays underwater. The overflowing Panay River system inundated portions of Barangays Calaan and Balatucan in Panitan town, rendering major roads impassable.
Local officials said the water rose rapidly overnight, trapping some families before rescue boats could reach them.

The Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has advised motorists to avoid the national highway in Panitan, as floodwaters have cut off access to all types of vehicles. Drivers are urged to take alternate routes through Sigma and Timpas until the water recedes.

Mudslides and Flash Floods in Calbayog

In Calbayog City, Samar, residents witnessed a rare and frightening sight — a landslide and flooding occurring simultaneously as torrential rain lashed the city Sunday morning. Videos captured torrents of brown water gushing down hillsides, swallowing sections of the road and washing debris into nearby rivers.

Local emergency teams were dispatched to clear the affected areas and assist families forced to flee their homes. Authorities have since warned of further ground movement in rain-soaked slopes across Northern Samar and nearby provinces.

Storm Tracks Across Luzon and the Visayas

After making landfall in Gubat, Sorsogon on Saturday afternoon, Ramil maintained its strength while moving northwest toward Luzon. PAGASA reported that by Sunday, the storm’s center was hovering over Manila Bay with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 90 kph.
Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over parts of Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, while other areas remain under Signal No. 1 due to lingering rain bands and strong gusts.

PAGASA warned of continued heavy to intense rainfall in parts of Bicol, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas, with risks of flash floods and landslides in low-lying and mountainous regions.

Rescue and Relief Efforts Intensify

Disaster response teams from the Office of Civil Defense, local governments, and volunteer groups have launched ongoing rescue missions in flooded communities. Evacuations are in full swing in the provinces of Capiz, Aklan, and Samar, where families were caught off guard by rising waters.

In some areas of Iloilo and Aklan, residents resorted to makeshift rafts to cross submerged roads. Early reports from Cano-an in Estancia described families stranded on rooftops as rescue teams battled strong currents to reach them.

“Okay naman po sa awa ng Diyos, na-rescue po kami,” said local resident Danilyn Aguilar, who earlier posted a desperate plea for help on social media. “Ngayon nasa evacuation na po kami.”

Nationwide Impact and Ongoing Warnings

According to government data, at least five people have died and two are missing as Ramil continues to affect wide swaths of the country. Heavy flooding has also been reported in parts of Biliran and Northern Samar, where swollen rivers forced families to flee.

PAGASA continues to monitor the storm’s movement as it heads toward the West Philippine Sea. Coastal residents are advised to stay away from beaches due to strong waves and possible storm surges.

Looking Ahead

While Ramil is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday, officials warn that rain-soaked ground may still give way to landslides and that floodwaters could take days to subside. Relief operations are now shifting focus toward food distribution and road clearing to reconnect isolated communities.

For now, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, follow local advisories, and prioritize safety over property as recovery begins.