Powerful Typhoon Devastates Northern Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — A devastating typhoon has left a trail of destruction across the northern regions of the Philippines, compelling many to evacuate to emergency shelters as the storm made landfall on Sunday, marking the sixth significant weather event to strike the country within a month.
Typhoon Man-yi struck the eastern island province of Catanduanes late Saturday, featuring sustained winds reaching 195 kilometers (125 miles) per hour and gusts peaking at 240 kph (149 mph). The national weather agency has issued warnings of a “potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation” in the provinces affected by the storm’s path.
While initial reports did not confirm any casualties, forecasts indicated that the typhoon would continue moving northwest on Sunday, impacting northern Luzon, which is the most populated area in the archipelago. The metropolitan Manila region was expected to be spared from a direct hit, though storm alerts were issued for both the capital and surrounding areas, warning of dangerous coastal storm surges.
“The rainfall was minimal, but the winds were extremely powerful, producing an eerie howling sound,” shared Roberto Monterola, a disaster management officer on Catanduanes, during a phone conversation. “In one main boulevard, tidal surges reached more than 7 meters (23 feet) near the coastal residences. It was truly alarming.”
The province of Catanduanes experienced widespread power outages as the typhoon toppled trees and electricity poles. Monterola mentioned that disaster-response teams were assessing the extent of damage, trying to account for homes affected both by Man-yi and previous storms.
“We require roofing materials and food supplies,” Monterola stated. “Villagers indicated to us that they were still recovering from the last storm when they were hit by this one.” Nearly half of Catanduanes’ population of 80,000 sought refuge in evacuation centers.
In anticipation of the storm’s arrival, local officials in Catanduanes warned residents that they could face arrest if they refused to evacuate to safer locations. Nearly 400,000 individuals sought shelter, taking refuge in various facilities including churches and a shopping mall, due to Man-yi and two earlier storms that predominantly affected northern provinces, according to Welfare Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao and other local officials.
The string of storms and typhoons hitting Luzon in a mere three weeks has led to over 160 fatalities, impacting around 9 million people, and causing significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural areas. Due to the scale of the destruction, the Philippines might need to import additional rice, a staple food for many citizens. During an emergency meeting convened in response to Man-yi’s approach, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged his Cabinet and local officials to prepare for the “worst-case scenario.”
At least 26 domestic airports and two international airports were temporarily closed as rough seas limited inter-island ferry and cargo services, leaving thousands of travelers stranded, reported the Civil Aviation Authority and the coast guard.
In an effort to assist, nations such as the United States, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, have provided cargo aircraft and additional support to bolster the overwhelmed disaster-response efforts. Last month, the first major storm, Trami, caused numerous fatalities after unleashing rainfall equivalent to one to two months’ worth within just a 24-hour period.
Frequently battered by roughly 20 typhoons annually, the Philippines is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, and is situated above more than a dozen active volcanoes, establishing its reputation as one of the most disaster-prone nations globally.