Taxicab crushed by massive tree in Quezon City as Typhoon Opong batters Luzon

• A taxi was severely damaged after a large tree fell on it inside Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City

• The incident was caused by the strong winds from Severe Tropical Storm Opong (#OpongPH)

• The taxi driver was reported safe and escaped without injury, despite the vehicle being crushed

• Araneta City management confirmed the cause and committed to providing assistance for the driver and the vehicle's repair

A parked taxi sustained catastrophic damage after a massive tree toppled directly onto it within Araneta City, Cubao, on Friday.

The incident, attributed to the severe wind gusts brought by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (#OpongPH), highlighted the immediate and often localized dangers posed by the powerful weather system sweeping across Luzon.

Fortunately, the driver of the heavily damaged vehicle narrowly escaped harm, escaping a potentially fatal crush.

The unfortunate cab, which bore the full weight of the fallen tree, was visibly wrecked, with its roof, hood, and front windshield completely crushed by the huge trunk and branches.

Photos circulating online show the vehicle virtually folded in half under the debris, illustrating the sheer force of the storm’s winds that uprooted the tree.

The near-disaster occurred on one of the streets inside the commercial and residential complex, turning a mundane parking spot into a scene of structural wreckage.

Araneta City management was quick to address the incident, confirming via an official statement that the tree fall was indeed a direct consequence of the exceptionally strong winds accompanying Typhoon Opong.

They expressed relief that no one was injured in the accident, a testament to what many netizens are calling a miraculous escape, as the damage suggests the area of impact would have been fatal had the driver been inside the car or standing nearby.

The management also committed to extending full assistance to the taxi driver, including financial aid to cover the repair or replacement of the heavily damaged vehicle.

The incident in the bustling Cubao district serves as a sharp reminder of the widespread impact of Severe Tropical Storm Opong, which has generated significant rainfall and wind-related damage across Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

While the storm’s trajectory and force have caused more severe damage and even fatalities in the Bicol region and the Visayas, the Quezon City tree-fall illustrates how rapidly the destructive elements of the typhoon can manifest even in urban centers, posing a serious threat to both life and property.

The event has also brought into focus the need for preemptive checks on aging or large trees in high-traffic commercial zones.

While Araneta City’s immediate response and offer of aid are commendable, local governments and property owners across the metro are expected to intensify efforts to clear debris and check the structural integrity of trees and other potential hazards to prevent similar occurrences during the ongoing typhoon season.

The taxi driver's close call is a powerful, cautionary tale that underscores the necessity of heeding storm warnings and seeking secured shelter, even during what might appear to be a simple tropical storm passing through the national capital region.

The swift intervention by the property management will hopefully pave the way for a quick recovery for the driver and his livelihood.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories for all of the ordinary people in the country as today. These stories usually affect the daily lives of the ordinary citizens.

In other news, a 22-year-old criminology student arrested in Manila for allegedly coercing a 17-year-old into s3x using her explicit photos as blackmail. Suspect first offered ₱20,000 for intimat3 materials before resorting to threats of exposure. Entrapment operation in Ermita led to his arrest after the victim’s father filed a complaint. Authorities warn of rising s3xtortion cases, urging digital safety awareness and open family communication.

Still in other news, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the realignment of P36B originally allocated for DPWH flood control projects. The funds will be transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to strengthen its primary social protection programs. Key programs receiving the funds include the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS). The President also announced a review and potential amendment of the 4Ps Act to ensure beneficiaries are not prematurely removed from the poverty-alleviation program.

Source: KAMI.com.gh