As President Bongbong Marcos indicated, numerous regions remain cut off from rescue efforts due to the destruction.

After Trami swept through the north-western part of the country on Friday, the government's disaster response agency confirmed that at least 81 people had died, with 34 still unaccounted for. This makes Trami one of the most lethal and destructive storms to hit the south-east Asian nation this year. It is anticipated that the death toll may rise as communication is restored and reports filter in from areas that remain isolated.

President Marcos, who surveyed the hardest-hit areas southeast of Manila on Saturday, explained that an unusually large amount of rainfall from the storm overwhelmed existing flood control mechanisms. He noted that some areas experienced one to two months' worth of rain within just 24 hours. "The water was just too much," Marcos remarked. "Our rescue operations are ongoing, but we are facing significant challenges due to the persistent flooding that even large trucks cannot traverse."

Further emphasizing the magnitude of the storm's impact, Marcos announced plans to initiate a substantial flood control project aimed at mitigating the unprecedented challenges brought by the climate crisis. The storm affected more than 4.2 million people, with nearly half a million seeking refuge in over 6,400 emergency shelters across various provinces, according to the government agency.

During an emergency cabinet meeting, Marcos expressed concerns based on forecasts suggesting that Trami, the 11th storm to strike the Philippines this year, could potentially loop back early next week due to high-pressure winds in the South China Sea. If it remains on its current path, it is expected to hit Vietnam over the weekend.

In response to the disaster, the Philippine government shut down schools and government offices for the third consecutive day on Friday to protect millions of residents on the main northern island of Luzon. Additionally, inter-island ferry services were halted, trapping thousands of people.

As the weather cleared in many parts of the Philippines on Saturday, cleanup efforts began to take shape. The country, which experiences around 20 storms and typhoons annually, is no stranger to such catastrophic events. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest recorded tropical cyclones, resulted in more than 7,300 deaths and widespread destruction.

The aftermath of Trami underscores the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure to cope with the escalating threats posed by extreme weather events.