In brief
Super Typhoon Man-Yi, locally known as Pepito, has made landfall in the Philippines, bringing with it catastrophic winds and rainfall. At 21:40 local time, the storm reached the eastern coast of Catanduanes island, boasting maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (121 mph). Already, hundreds of thousands have evacuated, and with at least 160 casualties reported from previous storms, authorities are sounding alarms for life-threatening conditions ahead.
More than 400,000 residents have evacuated their homes as the super typhoon approaches. The Civil Defense chief, Ariel Nepomuceno, warns that the saturated grounds pose significant risks of landslides in affected regions. The expected rainfall of over 300 mm (11 inches) this weekend may lead to severe flooding, putting many communities at risk. In Manila, while the worst winds are forecast to hit the northern areas, the capital is not completely out of danger, as Man-Yi proceeds to move through Luzon and away from the islands by Monday. Previously, the Philippines suffered from a series of storms that left numerous fatalities and widespread devastation. Typhoon Trami flooded large areas in late October, leading to dozens of deaths, while Typhoon Kong-rey also caused fatalities and significantly impacted Taiwan. As communities face the challenges of natural calamities, locals express their fears and psychological trauma from previous disasters. Evacuees, like Glenda Llamas and Melchor Bilay, recount their fears and urgency to leave as the typhoon's intensity heightens. The UN's climate change body suggests that while global cyclone numbers may remain stable, extreme weather patterns may increase, indicating the urgent need for preparedness and resilience in affected regions. Residents are urged to adhere to evacuation orders as Super Typhoon Man-Yi poses significant threats to life and property across the region.
