(CLO) Super Typhoon Man-yi hit the Philippines on Saturday, with warnings of a "potentially catastrophic and life-threatening" impact as huge waves battered the archipelago's coastline.
More than 650,000 people have fled their homes ahead of Typhoon Man-yi, the sixth major storm to hit the disaster-weary nation in the past month.
Super Typhoon Man-yi packed maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) when it made landfall in the sparsely populated island province of Catanduanes, the weather agency said, adding that gusts of up to 325 km/h were possible.
Huge waves as super typhoon Man-yi prepares to make landfall in Legaspi City, Albay province, Philippines on November 16, 2024. Photo: AFP
"A catastrophic and life-threatening situation is likely in the northeastern Bicol region as super typhoon 'Pepito' continues to intensify," the weather forecast said hours before the storm made landfall, using the local name of the storm and referring to the southern part of the main island of Luzon.
Waves as high as 14 meters hit the coast of Catanduanes, while Manila and other vulnerable coastal areas risk storm surges of more than three meters in the next 48 hours, the weather agency said.
Strong winds hitting Catanduanes and Camarines Sur provinces in the northeastern Philippines - both in the typhoon-prone Bicol region - posed "extreme threat to life and property", the weather bureau said.
Catanduanes lost power before the storm, with shelters and command centres using generators to provide power. "We heard things falling and breaking when we were in the evacuation centre," Roberto Monterola, director of disaster operations for Catanduanes province, told AFP after Man-yi made landfall.
"We couldn't check what it was because the wind was so strong. It could have been a tree branch that broke and fell on the roof," Monterola said, adding that there were no reports of casualties.
Forecast location and path of super typhoon Man-yi. Source: Nchmf
At least 163 people have died in five typhoons that have hit the Philippines in the past month, leaving thousands homeless and destroying crops and livestock.
Climate change is increasing the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and stronger winds around the world .
Although the Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons each year, experts say it is rare for so many extreme weather events to occur in such a short period of time in the country.
Hoang Anh (according to AFP, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/sieu-bao-man-yi-voi-gio-giat-325-km-h-do-bo-vao-philippines-hon-nua-trieu-nguoi-phai-so-tan-post321686.html
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