Typhoon Thelma (1987)

Typhoon Thelma, also known as Typhoon Herming in the Philippines, was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck the Philippines in November 1987. It was one of the deadliest typhoons to impact the country in the latter half of the 20th century.

Thelma formed as a tropical depression in the western Pacific Ocean and rapidly intensified into a typhoon as it moved westward. It made landfall in the central Philippines, bringing torrential rainfall and strong winds to several islands, including Leyte, Samar, Cebu, and Negros.

The most significant impact of Typhoon Thelma was the massive flooding and landslides it triggered, particularly in Leyte province. Ormoc City and its surrounding areas were particularly hard hit, with entire villages being submerged by floodwaters and swept away by mudslides. The unprecedented rainfall caused rivers to overflow their banks, inundating low-lying areas and destroying homes and infrastructure.

The official death toll from Typhoon Thelma was initially estimated to be around 3,000, but subsequent assessments revealed a much higher number. It is now believed that over 5,000 people perished in the disaster, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Philippine history. Many bodies were never recovered, and the exact number of casualties remains uncertain.

The aftermath of Typhoon Thelma was marked by widespread devastation and humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people were left homeless and without access to food, water, or medical care. Relief efforts were hampered by damaged roads and communication lines. The Philippine government, along with international aid organizations, launched a massive relief operation to provide assistance to the affected communities.

Typhoon Thelma served as a stark reminder of the Philippines' vulnerability to tropical cyclones and the importance of disaster preparedness. In the wake of the disaster, efforts were made to improve early warning systems, evacuation procedures, and land-use planning in order to mitigate the impact of future typhoons. The disaster also highlighted the challenges of disaster management in a country with a large population, a complex geography, and limited resources.