Rappler's latest stories on Disasters
Japan rescuers battle to reach thousands trapped by floods
One emergency worker says the coronavirus might be dissuading people from volunteering to help with the rescue efforts
Japan issues fresh rain disaster warnings as toll hits 54
Local media report that some people were preferring to sleep in cars rather than risk coronavirus infection at shelters
At least 52 dead in Japan floods as more troops join rescue
Authorities warn more rain is expected as rescue operations continue in southwestern Japan
Rain hampers rescue efforts after deadly Japan floods
(UPDATED) In the worst-affected region of Kumamoto, bad weather is preventing some rescue efforts, local officials say, with at least 13 people still unaccounted for
Mass burial for scores killed in Myanmar jade mine disaster
The landslide in northern Myanmar kills over 170 people, most of them migrant workers. It is the worst accident in memory to befall Myanmar's notoriously dangerous jade mines.
More than a million hit by India monsoon floods
About 70% of Assam's World Heritage-listed Kaziranga National Park – home to two-thirds of the world's remaining one-horned rhinos – is submerged by the floods
Dozens killed as south China hit by floods and rainstorms
Floods and mudslides cause nearly 230,000 people to be relocated and destroy more than 1,300 houses
[OPINION] Preparing for typhoon season in the middle of a pandemic
'Disaster planning managers in the country should do their homework as early as now'
New Zealand PM unruffled as earthquake hits mid-interview
'Quite a decent shake here, if you see things moving behind me,' Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says, smiling
LGUs must plan early to juggle pandemic response with typhoons – expert
Typhoon season could complicate the coronavirus crisis – with evacuation centers used as quarantine facilities and calamity funds spent. We need to plan now before it's too late, says an expert.
What LGUs can do to prepare for disasters amid coronavirus outbreak
Here are some ways that local governments can prepare for disasters during the coronavirus outbreak
Rappler Talk: Mahar Lagmay on dealing with typhoons amid COVID-19 pandemic
The disaster response expert talks about how government should prepare for typhoon season amid coronavirus lockdowns
#ReliefPH: Help badly-hit towns recover from Typhoon Ambo
With their disaster funds already nearly depleted by coronavirus-related preparations, local governments and groups appeal to the public to help their towns recover from Typhoon Ambo
'Super cyclone' Amphan batters Bangladesh, India
'The situation is more worrying than the coronavirus pandemic. We don't know how to handle it,' India's West Bengal state leader Mamata Banerjee says
Millions batten down as 'super cyclone' Amphan hits Bangladesh, India
Authorities scramble to evacuate more than 3 million people from low-lying areas, but the task is complicated by the need to prevent the spread of coronavirus
'Super cyclone' to slam India, Bangladesh
Along with 'very heavy rainfall,' the system is expected to result in a storm surge pushing the sea level several meters higher
[OPINION] Towards a Disaster Risk Reduction approach to virus response
'Response to disasters uses a cluster approach at different levels to address multifaceted issues. Why can't this tackle the pandemic?'
Record 50 million people displaced internally – monitors
'Internally displaced people are often highly vulnerable people living in crowded camps, emergency shelters, and informal settlements with little or no access to health care,' IDMC director Alexandra Bilak says in a statement
Tornadoes bring death, destruction in southern U.S.
Images show lines of smashed, roofless houses where tornadoes had blasted through, many homes just piles of rubble sitting atop foundations
Monster Pacific cyclone Harold batters Fiji
(UPDATED) Harold remains 'extremely dangerous' and residents in the island's south are advised to shelter in churches, schools, or other substantial buildings
Here's how freelance entertainment workers can apply for FDCP's DEAR Action program
The program is the FDCP's assistance to workers in the audio-visual sector who have suddenly found themselves unemployed due to a catastrophe
[ANALYSIS] Tackling the disproportionate impact of disasters on women
'One report finds that women and children are 14 times more likely to die in a disaster compared to men, and prevailing traditional gender roles seem to be the culprit'
DENR reminds Cebu LGUs to check hazard maps for landslide prone areas
Over 250 barangays in Cebu province are in landslide prone areas. The geosciences bureau reminds LGUs to prepare for the rainy season.
Nationwide earthquake drill canceled due to coronavirus outbreak
The NDRRMC says the first quarter drill was canceled to 'ensure public health safety of the drill participants and to prevent the possible risk of contracting COVID-19'
21 dead as torrential rain hits Brazil
The victims were electrocuted, buried in landslides, or drowned, emergency officials say
Tornadoes tear through Tennessee, 25 dead
News footage shows cars piled up, hangars destroyed, and what appears to be dozens of aircraft smashed into each other
QC trains health workers, volunteers vs coronavirus
More than a hundred health workers and volunteers from 20 barangays in Quezon City have been trained, so far
DILG orders LGUs to craft plans for the 'Big One' in 90 days
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año says local officials that fail to do so may face administrative, even criminal cases
Storm Dennis wreaks havoc across UK, parts of France
The second severe storm in a week to hit Britain brings high winds of more than 140 kilometers an hour and more than a month's worth of rain in 48 hours in some places
Why fact checking is important during times of disasters, epidemics
Spreading unverified information, especially exaggerated claims and warnings, only causes unnecessary panic and harm
Vico Sotto signs Pasig's disaster response deal with Cagayan Valley
Pasig is the first city in Metro Manila to sign a disaster response agreement with its designated partner region. If the 'Big One' strikes, Cagayan Valley will come to Pasig City's aid.
[OPINION] All crises are manufactured, and all crises can be stopped
Which solution will work – one that serves the needs of foreign capital and local greed, or one that serves the people?
Jalad says better to make NDRRMC chief a 'Cabinet-level' position
Stakeholders have pointed out that since the NDRRMC is merely a council, it doesn't have the budget nor the power to make decisions on situations that require a Cabinet rank
Water facilities being constructed at Batangas evacuation camps for Taal victims
Jetmatic pumps will be placed in several evacuation camps such as Batangas Sports Complex, West Bauan, Central School, Bauan Batangas, Lemery, Agoncillo, and San Nicolas
Who was prepared for the Taal Volcano emergency? Cavite
All its 23 towns and cities now host evacuees from Batangas
How Filipinos are helping Taal eruption survivors while going zero waste
Seeing the need to do their part to help those affected, many organizations championing the zero-waste lifestyle are helping Taal eruption survivors by leading eco-friendly donation drives
LIST: Relief proposals for Taal Volcano evacuees
Proposals – so far, from senators – range from cash aid to moratorium on loan payments
Fast response: How Tokyo Olympics will cope if earthquake strikes
Earthquakes, typhoons, or terrorist attacks can strike anytime, and organizers want to be as prepared as possible
Tagaytay Sky Ranch still vulnerable to 'heavy ashfall' – NDRRMC
Tagaytay Sky Ranch is safe from a possible base surge, but still vulnerable to heavy ashfall. The business still decides to open.
House aims to OK bills creating 3 new departments by March
Lawmakers want to create new government departments focused on overseas Filipino workers, water resources, and disaster resilience
Group urges public to donate usable clothes to evacuees
'Let us treat the survivors with dignity,' says the Citizens' Disaster Response Center after photos of evacuees wearing donated school and work uniforms make the rounds on social media
Eager to help, Filipinos crowdsource info to aid victims of Taal Volcano eruption
A number of Filipinos focus their attention on making sense of information and updates on social media to aid and guide relief efforts
What other LGUs can learn from Albay's Mayon response plan
The association of disaster responders from the towns and cities of Albay province has come up with a list of local governments' daily priorities for 4 months following a volcanic eruption
Sacrifice tech, not people, to solve problems
Technology should be the first responder, and sometimes the sacrificial part, that provides society with the means to get through disasters with as few casualties as possible
[OPINYON] Trahedya dahil sa isang terminong hindi nauunawaan ng lahat
Hindi namimili ang salitang 'trahedya,' at hindi rin dapat namimili ang salitang 'kaligtasan'
SM distributes kalinga relief packs to Taal volcano victims in Batangas
Over 6,500 relief packs are expected to be dispatched to various evacuation areas
Calabarzon residents have no management plan for volcanic eruptions – survey
On a national average, 99.80% of households surveyed across the Philippines also have no disaster management plan specific for volcanic eruption
How groups are saving stranded animals near Taal Volcano
Help dogs, cows, and other livestock in areas near the Taal Volcano that have been left behind by their owners, who evacuated in the wake of the volcanic eruption
[OPINION] Planning and preparation: Unglamorous, yet most critical, in disasters
'The continued presence of residents right on the active volcano over the years is the most illustrative manifestation of the state of our disaster preparedness as far as Taal is concerned'
Huge sinkhole swallows bus, kills 6 in China
Several people disappear into the sinkhole as it spreads, including what appears to be a child
