Floods in Philippines Kill at Least 9 and Trap Others on Roofs as Storm Approaches

Residents walk along a muddied road as they start cleaning their area after floods caused by Tropical Trami, locally named Kristine, in Polangui, Albay Province, Philippines, on Oct. 23, 2024. John Michael Magdasoc/AP Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Torrential rain set off by an approaching tropical storm swamped the eastern Philippines with widespread flooding that killed at least nine people, trapped others on their roofs, and sparked frantic appeals for help, officials said Wednesday.

The government shut down public schools and government offices—except those urgently needed for disaster response—on the entire main island of Luzon to protect millions of people as Tropical Storm Trami blew closer from the Pacific.