8-month old infant drowns in devastating flood caused by Typhoon Mangkhut

If you’ve caught wind of the news about Super Typhoon Mangkhut, you would know that it has claimed the lives of many, especially in the Philippines. There are reports of those who have lost their lives in landslides, a security guard crushed by a falling wall, and the distressing incident where an 8-month-old baby drowns in Albay flood caused by the typhoon.

8-Month-Old Baby Drowns in Albay Flood

Stranded in public places and the typhoon was just around the corner | Source: Screengrab from GMA News

The flood was apparently caused by heavy rains brought about by Typhoon “Ompong” (international name: Mangkhut). As Typhoon Ompong approached Luzon on Saturday 15 September, residents either prepared their homes or fled their communities — which was when the tragedy happened.

According to GMA News, a baby fell through a hole in the floor of their home backyard, in Pio Duran town, Albay province, and drowned in the floodwater. 

What is even sadder is that the baby’s family were reportedly fast asleep when the incident happened. The baby’s parents woke up around 5 am and noticed that their child, Crissa Joy De Castro, was missing from her bed.

She was found dead, floating in the flooded backyard, said Chief Inspector Joseph Abel Jarabejo, chief of Pio Duran police. “Their house is situated two meters away from the river.”

Since last Friday, 14 Sep, continuous rains have plagued Albay. 

Super Typhoon Mangkhut Strikes, Leaving Destruction in Its Wake

It is said that Mangkhut is the 15th storm this year to batter the Philippines. It is considered as one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, with 20 storms a year.  

Landslides claimed most of the victims in the Philippines. | Source: Screengrab from EPA

The aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut in Northern Philippines. | Source: Screengrab from Stuff

Typhoon Mangkhut pummelled the northern Philippines for 20 hours on Saturday before moving toward southern China, officials say. | Source: Screengrab from Stuff

After causing chaos in the Philippines with ferocious winds and torrential rain, typhoon Mangkhut barreled its way to Hong Kong on 16 September.

Flying roofs and crashing waves

Flying roofs, crashing waves: scenes of chaos as Typhoon #Mangkhut slams into #HongKong https://t.co/vw3rCPfflY #TyphoonMangkhut pic.twitter.com/IeLEWv3Bbd

— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) September 16, 2018

Debris hurtling everywhere

Typhoon #Mangkhut hits Whampoa in #HongKong https://t.co/vw3rCPfflY #TyphoonMangkhut 🎥: Andy Yeung pic.twitter.com/NWJCV8OTIc

— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) September 16, 2018

Imagine that… it could just take a second to sweep you off your feet

Ma Wan, off the eastern edge of #HongKong‘s Lantau Island, feels the force of #Mangkhut https://t.co/vw3rCPfflY #TyphoonMangkhut 🎥: Sian Loh pic.twitter.com/UHRQq0bKKU

— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) September 16, 2018

The worst of the storm in Hong Kong. People caught outside were overwhelmed by its conditions. | Source: Screengrab from REUTERS

More terrifying footage of typhoon Mangkhut

Another one captured by our @CNBCi team in Hong Kong. #TyphoonMangkhut pic.twitter.com/z5h2qXeBhp

— Akiko Fujita (@AkikoFujita) September 16, 2018

颱風山竹 Typhoon MANGKHUT (T10) raging waters from Harbour Place flat in Hung Hom, Hong Kong/Kowloon #颱風山竹 #山竹 #颱風 #typhoonmangkhut #typhoonompong #mangkhut #ompong #typhoon #hk #hongkong #hunghom #kowloon #tropicalstorm #t10 #ragingwater #ragingwaters pic.twitter.com/Uh5AQMGKTD

— Paul Marriott (@pcmarriott) September 16, 2018

This is the strongest typhoon/hurricane I’ve ever seen (through the screen) in my life in #HongKong #Manghkut pic.twitter.com/N02TIN7EgW

— John Ho (何John) (@JohnMho) September 16, 2018

But that’s not all. 

Typhoon Mangkhut Pummels Southern China

Despite the typhoon weakening slightly as it moved across the South China Sea, Hong Kong authorities were said to have issued their highest storm signal, No. 10, stated Channel NewsAsia.

Waves crash onto the coastline in Zhuhai in southern China’s Guangdong province on Sep 16, 2018. | Source: Xinhua via AP/Liang Xu

Broken glass in a restaurant as Typhoon Mangkhut makes landfall in China’s Guangdong province, Shenzhen, on Sept 16, 2018 | Source: screengrab from AsiaOne

After leaving at least 64 people dead in the Philippines, typhoon Mangkhut made landfall into China’s Guangdong province, the country’s most populous, on Sunday.

Packing sustained winds of 175kph (110mph) and more than 200kmh at its peak, tropical cyclone Mangkhut hurtled toward China’s heavily populated southern coast. 

As of 8 pm on Sunday, two people died in Guangdong due to the typhoon, according to state media. 

People with umbrellas walk against strong winds from Typhoon Mangkhut; Nanshan District in Shenzhen on Sep 16, 2018. | Source: Xinhua via AP/Mao Siqian

Typhoon Mangkhut is expected to weaken into a tropical depression during the early hours of Tuesday, in China. 

Here at theAsianparent, our thoughts are with the thousands of families affected by this ferocious tropical storm. 

Source: GMA News, Inquirer, Channel NewsAsia, Reuters