Pope prays for victims, survivors of typhoons in Philippines

Pope Francis said a special prayer for the victims of Tropical Storm Agaton, which was called ‘Megi’ in the Philippines. It hit the country on April 11.
 
The Vatican secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent a letter to the Bishop of Caloocan, Pablo Virgilio David, on April 14. 
 
In that letter, Pope Francis conveyed a particular thought and prayed for the victims and survivors of the recent tropical storm in the predominantly Catholic country. 
 
According to the message, the pope stated to all those impacted by the disaster, expressing his profound sorrow and solidarity with them after the papal discovered that several people had perished and that the mega-hurricane had wreaked havoc. 
 
While expressing his condolences to the victims of hurricane Agaton, he prayed for protection for the deceased’s souls and strength for their grieving families.
 
Pope Francis also prayed for the healing of those who have been harmed or abandoned and those who assist them in their recovery.
 
Additionally, as a show of spiritual intimacy, Pope Francis was prepared to pray for the strength and peace of God on behalf of all Filipinos, "the Vatican letter to Bishop David said."  

The typhoon Agaton that struck the Philippines triggered landslides in various regions, the worst in Leyte province. Several people escaped or were rescued from the avalanche and sludge.
 
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. The distance between Manila (the Philippines' capital) and Leyte is 593 kilometers.
 
Scientists have long warned the Philippines that typhoons may intensify more rapidly as the planet warms. 
 
Megi is the archipelago's first storm of the year, with the Philippines seeing around 20 such storms every year.
 
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the fatality toll from Tropical Depression Agaton-related erosion and floods has grown to 167 as of April 16.
 
As of 8 in the morning, the situational report, according to the NDRRMC, said the majority or 151 of the reported deaths were in Eastern Visayas, 11 in Western Visayas, three in Davao Region, and two in Central Visayas. 

As many as 110 were reported missing and eight were injured, said NDRRMC.

The Agaton has affected as many as 1,939,514 people or 562,548 families in 2,424 barangays (villages) in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.