storm in the Philippines leaves two dead and thousands displaced

A violent storm hit the Philippines’ most populous island on Sunday, May 26, hit by heavy rains and floods that left two dead and forced more than 8,000 people to flee their homes, according to local authorities. After making landfall Friday evening on the island of Samar, Ewiniar, the first storm to hit the Philippines this year, strengthened as it swept northwest to the main island of Luzon, where the capital Manila is located .

Power was cut in many localities, disaster management official Mary Joy Adam told AFP. Two people, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed by falling trees in the Quezon region. Rescuers had to use inflatable boats to reach stranded residents.