Five people killed as Typhoon Krathon passes through the Philippines

The typhoon made landfall in the south of the island, in Xiaogang district of Kaohsiung province, around 12:40 pm (6:40 am Belgian time) on Thursday, bringing devastating winds, flooding and landslides.

Four victims drowned in the Ilocos region, in the northwest of the country. Another victim died of electrocution in Cagayan Valley, northeast.

Hundreds of people had to evacuate. The disaster relief agency estimates the damage at 700 million pesos, approximately 11.3 million euros.

Tropical storms are common on the island, more specifically from July to October. However, a recent study concluded that they form closer to shore, increase in intensity faster, and last longer after making landfall due to climate change.