The Philippines was hit by its sixth typhoon in a month. Described as a super typhoon, Man-yi hit the main island of Luzon. There is now a risk of heavy rain in the Manila metropolitan area. Reuters reported that more than one million people have been evacuated so far.
On Saturday evening local time, typhoon “Man-yi”, which was called “Pepito” in the Philippines, reached the city of Panganiban, Catanduanes province. It was accompanied by winds with an average speed of 195 kilometers per hour. The storm has weakened slightly and is now accompanied by wind gusts of up to 185 km/h. These types of elements receive the prefix “super” when the wind speed reaches 185 km/h and more.
The country's weather agency on Saturday warned of a “potentially catastrophic and life-threatening” situation in provinces along the path of the storm, especially low-lying and coastal areas.
Evacuation of hundreds of residents
On Sunday, Reuters reported that more than one million residents had been evacuated. Earlier it was reported that more than 650 thousand people were evacuated.
“We evacuated because every time there is a typhoon, the water level in the nearby river rises,” said Amalia Santisas, one of the people near the coastal areas of the capital Manila who enforced the evacuation order. “We have children with us and we are afraid,” she added.
Civil defense chief Ariel Nepomuseno told Reuters no casualties were reported, although strong winds damaged homes, schools and public buildings in Catanduanes.
Typhoon Man-yiPAGASA forecast track
Sixth in a month
Man-y, the sixth tropical storm to hit the Philippines in a month, is moving south and central Luzon, threatening the capital region.
State weather agency PAGASA issued a statement using the typhoon's national name and calling for “Pepito to weaken slightly as a typhoon before making landfall.”
A severe storm watch has been issued for the eastern parts of Polillo and Calagua islands.
In the town of Virac in Catanduanes, the wind stopped and the rain eased, allowing some people who had taken shelter to return home, Roberto Monterola told DZBB radio.
Man-yi in satellite images on November 16, NASA Worldview
Main image credit: NASA Worldview
