Tropical Storm Penha Ravages Philippines: Four Dead, Thousands Evacuated
Forecaster says storm developed outside country’s usual peak typhoon months.
Stuti Mishra Friday 06 February 2026 11:51 GMT
People wade through floodwaters brought by Tropical Storm Penha in Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines (AFP via Getty).
Tropical Storm Penha has unleashed devastation across the southern Philippines, claiming at least four lives and forcing the evacuation of more than 6,000 residents. Days of relentless heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding and a deadly landslide, authorities confirmed on Friday.
Storm Path and Impact
The storm, locally known as Basyang, made landfall late on Thursday in the southeastern province of Surigao del Sur. It then moved westwards across the central islands, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. As of Friday noon, Penha was last tracked off Bohol province, packing sustained winds of up to 55kmph and gusts reaching 70kmph, according to forecasters.
A tragic incident occurred on Thursday night when a couple and their two children were killed after their shanty was buried by a landslide in a quarry area in southern Cagayan de Oro city. The landslide was directly triggered by the torrential rainfall associated with the storm.
Rescue Operations and Displacement
In Iligan city, approximately 55km southwest of Cagayan de Oro, residents found themselves trapped inside their homes as floodwaters rose rapidly. One desperate woman called the DZMM radio network on Friday, pleading for rescue from the second floor of her house as floodwaters surrounded her family.
“Rescuers are on the way,” Antonio Sugarol, regional director of the Office of Civil Defence, assured the resident during the broadcast. He added that rescue personnel were actively evacuating families in Mahayahay and Tubod villages, as reported by Associated Press. More than 6,000 people have been displaced in southern and central provinces, with around 5,800 of them relocated to evacuation centres, the Office of Civil Defense stated.
Widespread Disruptions
The storm’s impact extended beyond immediate safety concerns, causing significant transport and educational disruptions:
- Classes were suspended in several affected areas as flooding inundated villages and roads.
- Nearly 5,000 passengers and cargo workers were stranded in 94 seaports after authorities temporarily suspended inter-island ferry and cargo services due to rough seas, the Philippine Coast Guard reported.
- Dozens of domestic flights were cancelled, leaving thousands of travellers stranded at airports across the region.
Unusual Storm Characteristics
Penha has a rain and wind band stretching around 660km, which is unusually wide for a storm forming ahead of the summer season. Typically, the Philippines experiences fewer tropical systems during this period. Government forecaster Robert Badrina highlighted that the storm developed outside the country’s usual peak typhoon months, raising concerns about changing weather patterns.
Forecast and Broader Context
Weather officials predict that Penha is expected to weaken into a tropical depression later on Friday as it moves northwest across the central islands towards Palawan province. However, heavy rain may continue to pose significant flood risks in the coming days.
The Philippines is hit by around 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. The nation also lies along earthquake fault lines and is home to more than a dozen active volcanoes, compounding its vulnerability to natural disasters.
