With winds up to 215 km/h and waves up to 14 meters high, the Philippines expects a super-typhoon with “potentially catastrophic” consequences

Some 255,000 people have already been evacuated as Man-Yi approached, a powerful storm which intensified this Saturday, November 16 to become a “super typhoon” with “potentially fatal” consequences, the meteorological agency warned local that same day, reported AFP.

Already six storms and more than 160 deaths… For several months, the Philippine archipelago has been shaken by numerous meteorological phenomena of rare intensity. Storm Man-Yi, which was classified as a super typhoon by local authorities this Saturday, is preparing to make landfall. The meteorological agency which descends on the archipelago from the east risks having “significant and serious consequences” with “potentially fatal storm waves”, alerted the authorities.

Winds up to 215 km/h

The island is expected to face winds of up to 215 km/h, causing waves and high tides expected at a maximum height of 14 meters, specifies AFP. Faced with the threat, already 255,000 residents have been evacuated from regions most vulnerable to landslides, floods and storm surges, said Interior Undersecretary Marlo Iringan. “If a preventive evacuation is necessary, let us implement it and not wait for the hour of danger to evacuate or seek help, because […] we would be endangering not only our lives, but also those of our rescuers”he declared.

All tanker fishing vessels and boats have been ordered to return to dock.

More and more intense storms

Although it is customary for storms to occur in this area of ​​Asia, they are becoming more and more violent. Scientists say climate change is increasing their intensity, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and increasingly violent gusts.