Super Typhoon Man-yi has struck the Philippines, delivering what authorities have described as a “potentially catastrophic and life-threatening” impact.
The storm made landfall in Catanduanes, a sparsely populated island province, with winds reaching 195 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 325 kilometers per hour.
As towering waves up to 14 meters battered the coastline, over 650,000 people fled their homes in anticipation of the storm’s destructive path.
The typhoon is the sixth major storm to hit the Philippines in just one month. Its trajectory puts Luzon, the country’s most populous island and economic center, in grave danger.
Storm surges exceeding three meters are expected to impact coastal areas, including Manila, in the next 48 hours.
The Philippines has already suffered significant losses from recent storms, with at least 163 fatalities and thousands left homeless. The government has urged citizens to evacuate promptly.
Storm surges and flooding displace thousands, leaving homes and livelihoods devastated in the Philippines.Marlo Iringan, the interior undersecretary, stressed, “Preemptive evacuation is critical. Delaying can endanger not only evacuees but also rescuers.”
Evacuation centers across affected regions are nearing capacity. In Catanduanes, over 400 residents have crowded the provincial government building, while others seek refuge in gyms, despite structural concerns.
In Albay province, families like Myrna Perea’s have left fragile homes to shelter in cramped school classrooms. “Even if our house is destroyed, the important thing is we do not lose a family member,” Perea said.
Scientists link the increasing intensity of storms to climate change, noting heavier rains, stronger winds, and flash floods as a result.
Typhoons regularly devastate the Philippines, but the frequency of extreme weather events in such a short period is unusual.
As Man-yi continues its path, the nation braces for more destruction, with communities already struggling to rebuild from prior storms facing a daunting future.
Local disaster officers emphasize the lasting impact of these typhoons, with some regions being thrust back into poverty with each devastating storm.