A strong storm moving towards the Philippines intensified into a ‘super typhoon’ on Saturday, the weather agency said. She warned of strong winds and ‘potentially deadly’ storm surges.
Waves up to 14 meters high are expected around the eastern island of Catanduanes, where Man-yi is expected to make landfall later Saturday or early Sunday, forecasters said in their latest bulletin.
Philippine authorities have ordered the evacuation of more than 250,000 people and the return of boats to the dock as the ‘super typhoon’ approaches.
Sixth storm in a month
This ‘super typhoon’, with winds of up to 215 km/h, will be the sixth major storm to hit the Philippines in a month. Previous attacks have killed at least 163 people, left thousands homeless, destroyed crops and killed livestock.
Scientists say climate change is increasing the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and more violent gusts.
Every year, around 20 major storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters, killing dozens of people, but it is rare for several such weather events to occur in a short period of time.
/ATS
Swiss
